/ 


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<-  (Ty^C^A^W 


LETTERS 


OF 


ZACHARY   TAYLOR 


FROM  THE 


BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE 
MEXICAN  WAR 


REPRINTED  FROM  THE  ORIGINALS  IN  THE  COLLECTION  OF 
MR.  WILLIAM  K.   BIXBT,   OF  ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 


WITH  INTRODUCTION,  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES,  AN 

APPENDIX,  AND  ILLUSTRATIONS 

FROM  PRIVATE  PLATES 


Of  TNr      -**" 


UNIVERSITY 

OF 


ROCHESTER,   N.  Y. 
1908 


> 

A  I/ 


COPYRIGHT    1908 

By  WILLIAM   K.  BIXBY 

PUBLISHED     1908 
ALL   RIGHTS   RESERVED 


THB   GENESEE   PRESS 

THE   POST  EXPRESS    PRINTING   CO. 

ROCHESTER,   N.  Y. 


W    K.  B  IX  BY, 

SO8  CENTURY    BUILDING. 
ST  LOU  IS.  MO. 


January  3rd,    1910 

J.    C.   R owe 11,    Libr. , 

University  of  California, 

Berkeley,  California. 
My  dear  Sir:- 

As  per  your  request  of  December  29th, 
I  take  pleasure  in  sending  the  University  a  copy 
of  the  Letters  of  Zachary  Taylor,  No.  146. 
The  MS.  came  into  my  possession  several  years  ago, 
but  publication  was  deferred  until  everjrthing  ob 
tainable  in  regard  to  the  family  could  be  ascertained. 

Yours  very  truly, 


INTRODUCTION 

ACHARY  TAYLOR,  twelfth  president  of  the  United  States  and  one  of  the 
country's  great  soldiers,  rendered  such  valuable  services  that  he  deserves 
to  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  the  American  people.  In  this  volume  an 
attempt  is  made  to  sketch  his  life,  and  to  throw  valuable  light  upon  his  sterling 
character  by  publishing,  for  the  first  time,  and  from  the  original  manuscripts,  a 
remarkable  series  of  letters  which  he  wrote  from  the  battle-fields  of  the  Mexican 
war.  The  letters,  which  are  among  the  most  interesting  ever  written  by  an  Ameri 
can  president,  will  also  illuminate  the  history  of  that  struggle,  explain  the  sensa 
tional  quarrel  with  General  Scott,  and  make  clear  many  doubtful  points  in  the 
presidential  contest  that  followed,  in  which  old  "  Rough  and  Ready  "  not  only 
triumphed  over  his  jealous  and  revengeful  antagonist  in  the  army  but  over  some 
of  the  greatest,  most  adroit,  and  most  popular  of  American  statesmen,  reaching  the 
highest  office  within  the  gift  of  his  fellow-citizens. 

The  readers  of  this  privately  printed  volume  may  be  interested  in  a  sketch  of 
General  Taylor's  family  and  of  his  descendants,  particularly  as  nothing  accurate 
and  comprehensive  has  hitherto  been  printed  ;  indeed,  a  sketch  may  be  regarded  as 
necessary  to  a  correct  understanding  of  the  many  interesting  allusions  in  these 
Letters  to  the  members  of  his  family,  to  whom  he  was  passionately  devoted. 

GENERAL    TAYLOR'S    ANCESTRY. 

James  Taylor  came  from  Carlisle,  England,  about  1640  and  settled  on  the 
Mattapony  river  in  what  is  now  Caroline  county,  Virginia.  His  son  James  suc 
ceeded  to  his  property,  married  Martha  Thompson  (1679-1762)  on  February  23, 
1699,  and  about  1720  bought  15,000  acres  of  land  in  what  is  now  Orange  county, 
Virginia,  and  settled  there.  Their  son  Zachary  (1707-1768)  married  Elizabeth 
Lee,  daughter  of  Hancock  Lee  of  "  Ditchley ;"  she  was  first  cousin  of  Henry 
Lee,  the  great  grandfather  of  General  Robert  E.  Lee,  and  was  a  descendant 
through  the  Allertons  of  Elder  William  Brewster  (1560-1644).  They  had  four 
children,  Zachary,  Hancock,  Richard,  and  Elizabeth.  Richard  was  born  on  the 
family  estate  in  Orange  county,  Virginia,  April  3,  1744,  and  died  near  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  January  19,  1829.  In  1769  with  his  brother  Hancock  he  made  the 
first  recorded  trading  voyage  down  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  to  New  Orleans, 
returning  to  Virginia  by  sea.  In  the  Revolution  he  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
Ninth  Virginia  regiment  and  for  many  years  thereafter  served  in  the  state  legisla 
ture.  He  was  an  original  member  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati.  In  Virginia 
in  1779  Colonel  Richard  Taylor  married  Sarah  Strother,  a  daughter  of  William 
Strother  of  Stafford  county,  Virginia.  She  was  born  in  that  county  in  1760  and 


INTRODUCTION 

died  in  Kentucky.  They  had  nine  children,  as  follows  :  Hancock,  William  Dab- 
ney  Strother,  Zachary  (the  President),  George,  Richard,  Joseph  Pannel,  Elizabeth 
Lee,  Sarah  Bailey,  and  Emily. 

Zachary  Taylor,  destined  to  be  the  most  famous  of  the  family,  was  born  at 
Hare  Forest,  Orange  county,  Virginia,  November  24,  1784.  This  date,  which 
differs  from  that  given  in  several  books  of  reference  familiar  to  American  readers, 
is  conclusively  established  by  the  family  records,  now  in  the  possession  of  his 
descendants,  which  have  been  consulted  in  the  preparation  of  this  sketch.  He  was 
related  to  two  very  prominent  families  of  the  South,  and  was  a  descendant  of  the 
chief  of  the  New  England  Pilgrims,  as  the  following  condensed  genealogies  will  show: 

Richard  Lee,  founder  of  the  Lee  family  in  the  Old  Dominion,  came  from 
England,  settled  in  Virginia  in  1641,  and  died  there  in  1663.  His  second  son 
Richard  married  Letitia  Corbin  ;  they  had  a  son  Henry  who  married  Mary  Bland ; 
they  had  a  son  Henry  who  married  Lucy  Grymes,  "  the  Lowland  beauty  "  for 
whom  Washington  in  early  youth  is  said  to  have  had  an  unrequited  passion ;  they 
had  a  son  Henry  ("Light  Horse  Harry"  of  Revolutionary  fame,  1756-1818) 
who  married  as  his  second  wife  Anne  Carter,  and  their  son  was  General  Robert  E. 
Lee  (1807-1870).  Richard  Lee  also  had  a  son  Hancock  who  married  Sarah 
Allerton  ;  they  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth  who  married  Zachary  Taylor  ;  they  had  a 
son  Richard  who  married  Sarah  Strother;  they  had  a  son  Zachary  (the  President) 
who  married  Mary  Mackall  Smith  and  had  a  son  Richard  (1826-1879),  who  was 
thus  a  fourth  cousin  of  General  Lee,  the  latter's  father  being  a  third  cousin  of 
President  Taylor. 

The  second  James  Taylor  married  Martha  Thompson  (1679-1762)  on  Feb 
ruary  23,  1699.  They  had  a  son  Zachary  (1707-1768)  who  married  Elizabeth 
Lee;  they  had  a  son  Richard  (1744-1829)  who  married  Sarah  Strother  (born  in 
1760)  and  had  a  son  Zachary,  (the  President,  1784-1850).  The  second  James 
Taylor  also  had  a  daughter  Frances  (1700-1761)  who  married  Ambrose  Madison 
on  August  24,  1721  ;  they  had  a  son  James  (born  in  1723)  who  on  September  15, 
1749,  married  Nelly  Conway,  and  they  had  a  son  James  (1751-1836)  who  was 
secretary  of  state  for  eight  years  under  Jefferson  and  president  for  eight  years  as 
Jefferson's  successor.  Thus  President  Madison  and  President  Taylor  were  second 
cousins. 

Elder  William  Brewster  (1560-1644),  who  came  over  in  the  Mayflower  in 
1620,  had  a  daughter  Fear  who  married  Governor  Isaac  Allerton  (1583-1659); 
they  had  a  son  Colonel  Isaac  Allerton  (1630-1702)  who  married  Elizabeth  Wil- 
loughby  and  emigrated  to  Virginia  in  1654  ;  they  had  a  daughter  Sarah  (1671-1731) 
who  became  the  second  wife  of  Hancock  Lee  (1653-1709),  the  fifth  child  of 
Richard  Lee;  they  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth;  she  married  Zachary  Taylor  (1707- 
1768),  the  grandfather  of  President  Taylor,  who  could  thus  trace  back  his  ances 
try  to  the  founder  of  the  Plymouth  colony. 


TAYLOR   LETTERS 


NUMBER 
OF  THREE  HUNDRED 
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ZACHARY  TAYLOR 


PR  I  VAT  E        P  L  AT  El 


INTRODUCTION 


GENERAL    TAYLOR  S    WIFE. 


On  June  18,  1810,  Zachary  Taylor  (the  President)  married  Margaret  Mackall 
Smith,  who  was  born  at  St.  Leonard's,  Calvert  county,  Maryland,  in  1787.  She 
belonged  to  an  important  Maryland  family  and  was  fifth  in  descent  from  Richard 
Smith  who  emigrated  from  England  in  1649,  settled  on  a  large  tract  of  land  in 
Calvert  county,  and  was  appointed  attorney-general  of  the  province  of  Maryland 
by  Cromwell.  Her  father  was  Captain  Walter  Smith  (1747-1804),  a  prosperous 
planter  who  had  married  Anne  Mackall.  Mrs.  Taylor  was  a  woman  of  strong 
character  and  great  piety,  and  was  intensely  devoted  to  the  education  of  her  chil 
dren  and  the  happiness  and  welfare  of  her  family.  She  was  with  her  husband  con 
stantly  till  the  Mexican  war,  when  a  constitution  broken  by  the  hardships  and 
privations  of  life  at  the  frontier  army  posts  compelled  her  to  remain  at  home.  She 
strongly  opposed  the  entrance  of  her  husband  upon  a  career  in  civil  life  j  she  felt 
that  as  he  had  rendered  distinguished  service  in  the  army  he  ought  not  to  be  called 
upon  for  further  sacrifices,  but  should  be  permitted  to  pass  the  closing  years  of  an 
arduous  life  free  from  care  and  responsibility ;  she  disliked  politics  and  politicians 
and  declared  that  the  advocacy  of  her  husband's  nomination  was  a  plot  to  deprive 
her  of  his  society  and  to  shorten  his  life  by  unnecessary  care.  During  the  presi 
dential  campaign  of  1848  she  lived  at  Baton  Rogue,  Louisiana,  surrounded  by 
members  of  her  family  and  by  friends  who  respected  her  for  her  character,  sacri 
fices,  and  love  of  domestic  life ;  and  it  may  be  that  she  secretly  hoped  for  her  hus 
band's  defeat.  But  when  the  news  of  his  election  came  and  the  removal  of  the 
family  to  Washington  was  a  necessity,  Mrs.  Taylor  turned  to  her  new  duties  with 
her  customary  courage  and  devotion.  Her  strength,  however,  had  failed  rapidly 
and  at  the  White  House  she  could  not  sit  through  the  long  state  dinners,  walk  up 
and  down  stairs  at  receptions,  or  stand  to  receive  the  polite  greetings  of  casual 
visitors.  Accordingly  the  active  duties  of  the  mistress  of  the  White  House 
devolved  upon  her  youngest  daughter,  Mary  Elizabeth  (often  affectionately  called 
"  Miss  Betty  "),  then  the  wife  of  Colonel  William  Wallace  Smith  Bliss,  the  Presi 
dent's  private  secretary.  She  was  a  handsome  young  woman  of  many  accomplish 
ments  and  unusual  grace  and  refinement,  and  was  exceedingly  popular  in  the  high 
social  circles  of  the  national  capital.  Mrs.  Jefferson  Davis  once  said  :  ct  I  always 
found  the  most  pleasant  part  of  my  visit  to  the  White  House  to  be  passed  in  Mrs. 
Taylor's  bright  pretty  room  where  the  invalid,  full  of  interest  in  the  passing  show 
in  which  she  had  not  strength  to  take  her  part,  talked  most  agreeably  and  kindly  to 
the  many  friends  who  were  admitted  to  her  presence.  She  always  appeared  at  the 
family  dinners  to  which  a  few  friends  were  unceremoniously  bidden,  of  which  many 
charming  ones  were  given  during  General  Taylor's  administration,  and  ably  bore 
her  share  in  the  conversation  at  the  table.  The  President  at  one  of  these  dinners 
at  which  I  was  present,  after  telling  an  anecdote  of  his  army  life  in  which  his  wife 


INTRODUCTION 

had  taken  part,  turned  to  Senator  Jefferson  Davis  and  said,  l  You  know  my  wife 
was  as  much  of  a  soldier  as  I  was.'  His  every  look  and  tone  spoke  respect, 
esteem,  and  love.  When  General  Taylor  died  I  was  with  the  family  and  saw  her 
endure  all  the  torture  incident  to  a  state  funeral.  Mrs.  Taylor  was  worn  to  a 
shadow,  and  lay  without  uttering  a  sound,  but  trembled  silently  from  head  to  foot 
as  one  band  after  another  blared  the  funeral  music  of  the  different  organizations, 
and  the  heavy  guns  boomed  in  quick  succession  to  announce  the  final  parting  of 
her  brave,  true  husband."  The  state  funeral  being  over,  Mrs.  Taylor  went  to  the 
home  of  Major  and  Mrs.  Bliss  at  East  Pascagoula,  Mississippi,  and  there  the 
broken-hearted  woman  died  on  August  14,  1852,  at  the  age  of  65.  Her  remains 
were  taken  to  Kentucky  and  laid  beside  those  of  her  husband.  During  the  past 
fifty  years  many  absurd  and  cruel  stories  about  Mrs.  Taylor's  character,  habits,  and 
daily  life  have  been  printed  in  sensational  American  magazines  and  newspapers  ; 
these  have  been  passed  by  with  silent  contempt  by  her  descendants  and  perhaps  for 
that  reason  have  been  accepted  as  true,  in  part,  at  least,  by  the  public ;  but  the  tes 
timony  of  Mrs.  Jefferson  Davis  must  be  accepted  as  conclusive,  and  in  these  lines 
we  have  given  a  correct  portrayal  of  the  modest,  unostentatious,  self-sacrificing  life 
of  a  noble  American  woman,  with  high  ideals  and  the  graces  and  virtues  of  an 
exalted  Christian  character. 

GENERAL    TAYLOR'S    DESCENDANTS. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zachary  Taylor  had  six  children,  Ann  Mackall,  Sarah  Knox, 
Agnes,  Margaret,  Mary  Elizabeth,  and  Richard,  of  whom  two,  Agnes  and  Mar 
garet,  died  in  early  childhood. 

(i).  Ann  Mackall  was  born  April  9,  1811,  near  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  was 
married  about  1829,  at  Fort  Crawford,  now  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis.,  on  the  upper 
Mississippi  river,  where  her  father  was  stationed,  to  Dr.  Robert  Crooke  Wood,  a 
surgeon  in  the  army,  to  whom  most  of  the  remarkable  letters  in  this  volume  were 
addressed.  Immediately  after  her  marriage  she  went  with  her  husband  to  Fort 
Snelling,  further  up  the  Mississippi.  This  fort  was  founded  in  1820  at  the  junc 
tion  of  the  Minnesota  and  Mississippi  rivers  and  is  the  oldest  settlement  in  Minne 
sota.  She  died  in  Germany  in  December,  1875.  Dr.  Wood  was  born  in  New 
port,  R.  L,  about  1800,  entered  the  army  May  25,  1825,  as  an  assistant  surgeon, 
became  major  surgeon  July  4,  1836,  was  assistant  surgeon-general  with  the  rank 
of  colonel,  and  on  March  13,  1865,  received  the  brevet  of  brigadier-general  for 
gallant  and  meritorious  service  during  the  Civil  war.  After  a  long,  useful,  and 
honorable  career  he  died  in  New  York  city,  March  28,  1869.  Dr.  Wood  had 
four  children,  to  whom  many  references  are  made  in  these  letters,  John  Taylor 
Wood,  Robert  Crooke  Wood,  Blandina  Dudley  Wood,  and  Sarah  Knox  Wood. 
The  oldest,  John  Taylor  Wood,  born  at  Fort  Snelling,  August  13,  1830,  was  the 
first  white  child  born  in  Minnesota.  He  entered  the  navy  as  a  midshipman  April 


INTRODUCTION 

7,  1847,  was  advanced  to  lieutenant  in  1855,  left  the  service  in  1861  to  join  the 
Confederacy,  and  commanded  the  after  division  of  the  Merrimac  in  the  famous 
fight  with  the  Monitor  in  Hampton  Roads.  After  sensational  service  as  a  blockade 
runner  he  was  appointed  a  colonel  on  the  staff  of  President  Jefferson  Davis. 
After  the  war  he  removed  to  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  where  he  died  July  19,  1904. 
In  1856  he  married  Lola  Mackubin  of  Annapolis,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children, 
of  whom  several  are  still  living.  His  oldest  son,  Zachary  Taylor  Wood,  born  at 
Annapolis  November  1 1,  1860,  is  now  a  major  commanding  the  Canadian  Mounted 
Police  in  the  Yukon,  and  his  youngest,  Charles  Carroll  Wood,  became  a  lieutenant 
in  the  British  army  and  was  killed  in  action  on  the  Orange  river,  South  Africa,  in 
November,  1899.  The  oldest  surviving  daughter,  Miss  Lola  Mackubin  Wood, 
resides  at  Windsor,  Nova  Scotia.  Robert  Crooke  Wood,  the  second  child  of  Dr. 
Wood,  was  born  April  4,  1832,  at  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  was  a  cadet  at  the  Military 
Academy  at  West  Point  from  July  I,  1850,  to  August  15,  1853.  He  resigned 
from  the  army  in  1858,  became  a  sugar  planter  in  Louisiana,  joined  the  Con 
federacy  on  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  became  a  colonel,  and  died  in  New 
Orleans  December  4,  1900.  He  had  married  Marie  Wilhelmina  Trist  of  that 
city  on  May  20,  1864,  and  had  four  children.  The  third  child  of  Surgeon  Wood 
was  Blandina  Dudley  Wood,  who  was  born  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis.,  January  9, 
1834.  She  married  Edward  Boyce  of  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  on  January  20,  1859. 
He  died  in  1862  and  four  years  later  she  married  Baron  Guido  von  Grabow.  She 
died  in  Berlin,  Germany,  September  7,  1892.  The  fourth  child,  Sarah  Knox 
Wood,  was  born  at  Tampa  Bay,  Florida.  For  many  years  she  lived  with  her  sister 
in  Germany,  and  for  the  past  ten  years  has  been  a  resident  of  Winchester,  Va. 

(2).  Sarah  Knox  Taylor,  the  second  child  of  Zachary  Taylor,  was  born  at 
Fort  Knox,  Ind.  When  her  father  was  colonel  of  the  First  Infantry  and  in  1832 
was  stationed  at  Fort  Crawford,  now  Prairie  du  Chien,  she  met  Jefferson  Davis, 
then  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  regiment.  They  soon  became  lovers,  but  their 
marriage  was  strongly  opposed  by  Colonel  Taylor  for  two  reasons  :  First,  he  was 
slightly  prejudiced  against  Lieutenant  Davis  on  account  of  a  trifling  incident  in 
military  life,  and,  second,  he  did  not  want  his  daughter  to  marry  a  military  man, 
being  well  aware  of  the  hardships  of  soldiers'  wives  at  frontier  posts.  From  time 
to  time  during  the  last  fifty  years  sensational  articles  about  the  "  elopement  "  of 
Jefferson  Davis  with  the  daughter  of  Zachary  Taylor  have  appeared  in  the  Ameri 
can  press,  and  as  these  eminent  men  and  their  descendants  never  deigned  to  discuss 
these  articles  the  "  elopement  "  story,  with  its  many  embellishments,  has  now 
come  to  be  accepted  as  true.  But  there  was  no  elopement ;  this  may  be  stated 
upon  the  personal  authority  of  the  lady's  sister,  who  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  84, 
who  has  assured  the  writer  of  the  accuracy  of  her  recollections.  Sarah  Knox 
Taylor  had  her  father's  strong  determination  and  told  him  that  while  she  would  not 
disobey  him  she  would  never  marry  any  other  than  Lieutenant  Davis,  and  said, 


INTRODUCTION 

what  proved  to  be  true  years  afterward  on  the  battle-fields  of  the  Mexican  war, 
that  "  the  time  will  come  when  you  will  see  as  I  do  his  rare  qualities."  For  a 
time  Lieutenant  Davis  was  not  allowed  to  visit  the  Taylor  household,  but  with  her 
mother's  consent  and  her  father's  knowledge,  the  young  lady  met  him  occasionally 
elsewhere.  After  an  engagement  of  two  years  the  father's  opposition  became  less 
decided ;  with  her  mother's  help  the  daughter  prepared  her  trousseau,  and  she  then 
journeyed  to  the  home  of  her  Aunt  Elizabeth  at  Beechland,  near  Louisville,  Ky. 
Lieutenant  Davis  followed,  and  there  in  the  presence  of  her  aunt,  her  sister,  her 
brother-in-law,  Surgeon  Wood,  and  other  relatives,  she  was  married  in  June,  1835. 
The  young  couple  went  to  visit  Lieutenant  Davis's  brother,  Joseph  E.  Davis,  on 
his  plantation,  the  Hurricane,  in  Mississippi,  and  it  was  arranged  that  Lieutenant 
Davis  (who  had  resigned  from  the  army)  should  take  Brierfield,  part  of  the  Hurri 
cane  tract,  as  his  share  in  his  father's  estate  ;  and  there  the  young  couple  settled. 
Late  in  the  summer,  as  the  sickly  season  approached,  they  went  to  visit  Lieutenant 
Davis's  sister,  Mrs.  Luther  Smith,  at  Locust  Grove  plantation  near  Bayou  Sara, 
Louisiana.  Soon  after  their  arrival  they  were  taken  sick  with  malarial  fever. 
They  were  nursed  in  separate  rooms,  and  he  was  too  ill  to  be  told  of  her  peril  and 
delirium  saved  her  from  anxiety  about  him.  Hearing  her  voice  singing  loud  and 
clear  a  favorite  song,  "  Fairy  Bells,"  Mr.  Davis  struggled  to  his  feet  and  went  to 
her  bed-side,  only  to  find  her  delirious  and  dying.  She  passed  away  on  September 
15,  1835,  only  three  months  after  marriage,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  burying- 
ground  on  the  plantation.  For  nearly  a  month  Mr.  Davis's  life  was  despaired  of, 
and  when  he  rallied  he  went  to  Cuba  for  the  winter.  In  the  following  spring  he 
returned  to  Brierfield  and  for  eight  years  led  a  life  of  sorrow  and  seclusion.  Mrs. 
Davis  was  a  young  woman  of  unusual  beauty,  with  great  vivacity  and  charm  of 
manner. 

(5).  Mary  Elizabeth  Taylor,  the  fifth  of  Zachary  Taylor's  daughters  and  the 
third  to  survive  the  perils  of  childhood,  was  born  near  Louisville,  Ky.,  April  20, 
1824,  and  now,  in  a  beautiful  old  age,  resides  at  Winchester,  Va.  She  is  the  one 
who,  as  "  Miss  Betty,"  was  the  mistress  of  the  White  House  sixty  years  ago  and 
charmed  Washington  society  with  her  grace,  beauty,  and  intelligence.  She  was 
educated  in  Philadelphia  and  on  December  5,  1848,  soon  after  her  father's  election 
to  the  presidency,  was  married  to  Major  William  Wallace  Smith  Bliss,  who  had 
greatly  distinguished  himself  in  the  Mexican  war,  particularly  at  Palo  Alto,  Resaca 
de  la  Palma,  Monterey,  and  Buena  Vista.  He  was  born  in  Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  in 
August,  1815,  and  on  September  I,  1829,  was  appointed  to  the  Military  Academy 
at  West  Point,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1833,  twenty-two  years  after  the 
graduation  of  his  father,  John  Bliss,  from  the  same  institution.  Both  his  charac 
ter  and  his  popularity  may  be  inferred  from  his  nickname,  "  Perfect  Bliss."  He 
served  against  the  Cherokees  in  1834,  was  a  professor  at  the  Academy  for  six 
years,  was  chief  of  staff  in  the  Florida  war,  served  against  the  Western  Indians, 


xn 


INTRODUCTION 

was  chief  of  staff  to  General  Taylor  in  Texas  and  Mexico,  and  was  repeatedly 
brevetted  for  gallantry.  His  brevet  of  lieutenant-colonel  was  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct  at  Buena  Vista.  In  1848  Dartmouth  college  conferred  the 
degree  of  A.  M.,  and  in  1849  a  g°^  rnedal  was  presented  by  the  legislature  of  his 
native  state.  He  was  a  remarkable  linguist,  being  the  master  of  six  languages. 
When  General  Taylor  was  inaugurated  president  Colonel  Bliss  became  his  private 
secretary,  and  after  the  president's  death,  July  9,  1850,  became  adjutant-general 
of  the  Western  division  of  the  army,  with  headquarters  at  New  Orleans.  In  1853 
he  went  with  his  wife  to  their  summer  home  at  East  Pascagoula,  Miss.,  and  there 
he  died  on  August  5th  of  yellow  fever.  On  February  n,  1858,  Mrs.  Bliss  was 
married  to  Philip  Pendleton  Dandridge,  of  Winchester,  whom  she  survives. 

(6).  Richard  Taylor,  the  only  son  of  Zachary  Taylor,  was  born  on  the 
family  estate  at  Springfields,  near  Louisville,  Ky.,  on  January  27,  1826.  After 
studying  abroad  for  four  years  he  returned,  entered  Yale,  and  was  graduated  in 
1845.  From  college  he  went  to  his  father's  camp  on  the  Rio  Grande,  but  his 
health  became  impaired  and  he  retired  to  a  cotton  plantation  in  Jefferson  county, 
Miss.,  where  he  resided  until  1849,  when  he  removed  to  a  sugar-estate  in 
Louisiana.  He  was  a  member  of  the  state  senate  from  1856  to  1860,  was  a  dele 
gate  to  the  Charleston  Democratic  convention  of  1860,  and  attended  the  secession 
convention  of  Louisiana.  In  June,  1861,  he  took  the  field  as  colonel  of  the 
Ninth  Louisiana  Volunteers.  He  was  soon  made  a  brigadier-general  and  early  in 
1862  led  his  brigade  in  the  Valley  campaign  under  Jackson.  He  distinguished 
himself  in  several  battles  and  being  promoted  to  major-general  on  Jackson's  recom 
mendation,  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Louisiana.  On  April  8,  1864,  with 
8,000  men  he  attacked  General  Banks  and  routed  the  advance  of  the  Northern 
army,  capturing  twenty-two  guns  and  many  prisoners.  Banks  fell  back  and  Taylor 
followed  him  and  attacked  again  the  next  day,  only  to  lose  the  fruits  of  the  first 
victory.  In  the  summer  Taylor  was  made  a  lieutenant-general  and  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  department  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi.  After  Lee  and  John 
ston  surrendered  there  was  nothing  else  for  him  to  do,  and  on  May  8,  1865,  he 
yielded  to  General  Canby.  After  a  brief  visit  to  Europe  General  Taylor  returned 
and  became  a  confidential  adviser  of  Northern  democratic  leaders,  notably  Samuel 
J.  Tilden,  who  had  a  high  opinion  of  his  ability  and  sagacity.  General  Taylor's 
book,  "  Destruction  and  Reconstruction  :  Personal  Experiences  in  the  Late  War 
in  the  United  States,"  was  published  in  1879.  He  died  on  April  I2th  of  that 
year  in  New  York  City. 

GENERAL  TAYLOR'S  CAREER. 

Zachary  Taylor's  youth  was  passed  on  the  Kentucky  frontier,  among  those 
who  were  exposed  to  the  dangers  and  hardships  of  pioneer  life  and  were  required 
to  be  constantly  on  the  alert  against  the  Indians  and  the  wild  beasts  of  the  forests. 


INTRODUCTION 

He  was  a  strong,  hardy,  brave,  enterprising  boy,  of  good  principles  and  adventur 
ous  spirit,  who  delighted  in  the  tales  of  border  adventure  and  was  eager  to  partici 
pate  in  the  conflict  between  the  forces  of  barbarism  and  civilization.  Colonel 
Taylor  destined  his  son  William  for  the  Army,  while  Zachary  was  to  be  a  farmer. 
The  former  died  soon  after  entering  the  service  and  Zachary,  earnestly  desiring  a 
military  career,  received  from  President  Jefferson  a  commission  as  first  lieutenant 
in  the  Seventh  Infantry.  This  commission  was  dated  May  3,  1808,  a  few  months 
before  Zachary  Taylor's  relative,  James  Madison,  was  elected  president  of  the 
United  States.  The  young  officer  reported  to  General  Wilkinson  at  New  Orleans, 
but  was  soon  stricken  with  yellow  fever  and  forced  to  return  home  to  be  nursed 
back  to  health.  His  marriage  occurred  about  a  year  later  and  on  November  30, 
1810,  he  was  promoted  and  became  a  captain.  In  1811  his  regiment,  the  Seventh, 
marched  northward  with  the  Fourth  Infantry  to  serve  under  General  Harrison,  then 
governor  of  the  Northwest  territory,  who  was  endeavoring  to  subdue  the  Indians. 
The  battle  of  Tippecanoe  was  fought  November  7,  1811.  The  second  war  with 
Great  Britain  began  in  less  than  a  year — the  act  declaring  war  was  dated  June  18, 
1812 — and  in  September  the  young  captain  had  his  first  real  baptism  of  fire.  In 
command  of  a  single  company  of  the  Seventh,  he  was  defending  Fort  Harrison 
when,  on  September  10,  1812,  it  was  attacked  by  the  Indians,  who  greatly  out 
numbered  the  little  garrison,  and  there  he  displayed  such  bravery,  skill,  and  resource 
fulness  in  defence  that  he  was  warmly  praised  by  his  superior  officers  and  was 
brevetted  major  by  the  President.  His  service  against  the  Indians  of  the  North 
west  continued  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  on  May  15,  1814,  he  received  the 
full  rank  of  major  and  was  assigned  to  the  Twenty-sixth  Infantry.  He  then  led 
an  expedition  against  the  Indians  and  their  British  allies  on  Rock  river  and  further 
distinguished  himself. 

The  treaty  of  peace  with  Great  Britain  was  signed  December  24,  1814,  and 
an  immediate  reduction  of  the  army  to  a  peace  footing  became  necessary.  Major 
Taylor  was  put  back  to  a  captain  in  his  former  regiment,  the  Seventh.  This 
involved  no  reflection  on  him,  but  as  he  preferred  to  resign  rather  than  serve  in  the 
lower  grade,  he  was  honorably  discharged  June  15,  1815,  and  went  home,  as  he 
expressed  it,  "  to  make  a  crop  of  corn."  But  his  military  abilities  were  so  well 
known  to  President  Madison  and  his  services  were  so  greatly  needed  in  the  army 
that  on  May  17,  1816,  he  was  restored  with  the  rank  of  major  and  assigned  to  the 
Third  Infantry,  which  was  stationed  at  Green  Bay,  Wis.  Taylor  joined  it  there 
and  for  two  years  commanded  at  Winnebago.  On  April  20,  1819,  he  was  pro 
moted  and  became  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Fourth,  reporting  to  its  colonel  at  New 
Orleans.  On  August  13,  1819,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Eighth;  on  June  i, 
1821,  to  the  First ;  on  August  16,  1821,  to  the  Seventh,  and  on  January  I,  1822, 
to  the  First,  in  which  he  remained  lieutenant-colonel  for  ten  years.  From  1819  to 
April  4,  1832,  when  he  became  colonel  of  the  First,  he  had  various  duties  to  per- 


INTRODUCTION 

form.  He  built  Fort  Jesup  in  Louisiana,  near  the  Texas  line,  was  on  recruiting 
duty  at  Louisville,  served  on  a  large  board  of  officers  in  Washington,  was  superin 
tendent  of  Indian  affairs  in  the  Northwest,  and  all  this  time  was  a  hard  student  of 
military  science  and  history.  When  he  became  colonel  he  was  sent  to  Fort  Craw 
ford  and  fought  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  under  General  Atkinson,  who  spoke  in 
high  praise  of  his  ability.  When  the  troubles  broke  out  in  Florida  and  the  Indians 
under  Osceola  rose  against  the  whites  and  slew  whole  families  of  settlers,  the  gov 
ernment,  in  the  words  of  President  Van  Buren,  had  "  no  alternative  but  to  con 
tinue  the  military  operations  against  them  until  they  are  totally  expelled."  For  this 
dangerous,  difficult,  and  important  service  Colonel  Taylor  was  selected,  as  being 
the  bravest  and  most  experienced  Indian  fighter  in  the  army.  Accordingly  in  the 
summer  of  1837  the  First  Infantry  proceeded  down  the  Mississippi.  Major- 
General  Thomas  S.  Jesup,  in  command  of  the  department,  had  a  hard  fight  with 
the  Indians  at  Jupiter  Inlet,  on  June  24,  1838,  was  severely  wounded,  and  was  so 
strongly  impressed  with  the  strength,  resources,  and  natural  advantages  of  the  foe 
that  he  strongly  recommended  that  the  government  compromise,  leaving  a  large  por 
tion  of  Florida  to  the  occupation  of  the  Indians  and  their  negro  allies.  This  rec 
ommendation  was  disapproved  at  Washington,  General  Jesup  was  relieved,  and  the 
command  was  given  to  Colonel  Taylor.  In  the  meantime,  the  latter  invaded  the 
Everglades  with  a  force  of  1,032  men,  exclusive  of  officers,  and  on  December  25, 
1837,  fought  and  won  the  desperate  battle  of  Okeechobee.  In  a  modest  report  of 
his  operations  he  said  :  "  This  column  in  six  weeks  penetrated  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  into  the  enemy's  country,  opened  roads  and  constructed  bridges  and 
causeways,  when  necessary,  on  the  greater  portion  of  the  route,  established  two 
depots  and  the  necessary  defences  for  the  same,  and  finally  overtook  and  beat  the 
enemy  in  his  strongest  position  ;  the  results  of  which  movement  and  battle  have 
been  the  capture  of  thirty  of  the  hostiles,  the  coming  in  and  surrendering  of  more 
than  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indians  and  negroes,  mostly  the  former,  including  the 
chiefs  Ou-la-too-gee,  Tus-ta-nug-gee,  and  other  principal  men,  the  capturing  and 
driving  out  of  the  country  six  hundred  head  of  cattle,  upwards  of  one  hundred 
head  of  horses,  besides  obtaining  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  country  through  which 
we  operated,  a  greater  portion  of  which  was  entirely  unknown  except  to  the  enemy." 
In  this  campaign  Taylor  exhibited  military  qualities  of  a  very  high  order  and 
was  "  promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  by  brevet  for  distinguished  ser 
vices."  His  victory  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  Indians,  but  it  did  not  crush  them, 
and  from  their  impenetrable  fastnesses  they  emerged  in  small  bands  from  time  to 
time  to  commit  depredations  upon  the  whites.  After  two  years  of  hard  service, 
during  which  it  was  impossible  to  bring  the  Indians  into  battle  and  subdue  them, 
General  Taylor  took  command  of  the  Southwestern  department  on  April  21,  1840, 
establishing  his  family  on  a  plantation  near  Baton  Rouge.  In  1841  the  gallant 
First  Infantry  was  sent  back  to  the  Northwest;  and  on  July  7,  1843,  General 


INTRODUCTION 

Taylor  was  transferred  to  the  Sixth  Infantry  and  established  his  headquarters  at 
New  Orleans,  from  which  he  could  move  as  occasion  demanded  to  either  of  the  various 
garrisons  in  his  department.  His  duty  was  simply  to  preserve  peace  with  the  Indians 
in  the  United  States  and  with  the  adventurous  Americans  who  had  invaded  Texas. 

This  invasion  had  been  going  on  for  several  years  and  the  American  emigrants 
became  so  strong  in  numbers  and  so  confident  of  their  capacity  for  self-government 
that  they  formally  seceded  from  Mexico  March  2,  1836,  and  declared  their  inde 
pendence.  After  the  defeat  of  Santa  Anna  by  General  Houston  at  San  Jacinto, 
April  21,  1836,  the  republic  of  Texas  was  recognized  by  England,  France,  Belgium, 
and  the  United  States.  The  question  of  annexation,  or,  as  the  Democrats  phrased 
it,  the  "  re-annexation,"  of  Texas  to  the  United  States  was  frequently  discussed  ; 
it  became  a  vital  one  in  1844  and  the  statesmen  of  that  period  were  face  to  face 
with  a  very  serious  and  difficult  problem.  Annexation  would  certainly  affront 
Mexico,  and  in  all  probability  lead  to  war ;  for  the  Mexican  republic,  which  had 
suspended  but  had  not  formally  abandoned  its  efforts  to  subdue  Texas,  and  which 
might  be  prevailed  upon  to  allow  it  to  remain  free  and  independent  as  a  buffer  state 
between  Mexico  and  the  United  States,  could  not  consent  to  its  forcible  annexation 
to  this  country.  But  on  the  other  hand,  a  refusal  on  our  part  to  annex  Texas 
would  almost  certainly  lead  to  interference  by  some  strong  European  power ;'  for 
Texas,  repelled  by  us  and  angry  thereat,  would  think  itself  forced  to  seek  allies 
elsewhere ;  and  as  we  would  be  compelled,  in  defence  of  the  highest  national 
interests,  to  resist  foreign  intervention  or  domination,  war  with  somebody  was 
inevitable — and  the  weaker  adversary  was  chosen.  This  country  was  at  fault  to 
begin  with  in  permitting  if  not  actually  encouraging  its  citizens  to  invade  the  prov 
ince  of  a  neighbor  with  whom  it  was  at  peace  and  with  whom  it  had  no  cause  of 
quarrel ;  and  no  doubt  the  statesmen  of  the  times  were  at  fault  in  not  seeking  more 
generally  annexation  by  purchase  instead  of  war,  for  if  confronted  with  the  certain 
loss  of  Texas,  one  way  or  the  other,  Mexico  might  have  accepted  money  as  com 
pensation  for  territory  which  she  was  doomed  to  lose  and  which  had  virtually  been 
wrested  from  her  already  ;  so  that  in  the  cold  light  of  impartial  history,  and  at  a 
time  when  the  chief  participants  in  the  great  struggle  have  passed  away,  it  may  be 
said  that  while  the  possession  of  Texas  ultimately  became  a  national  necessity,  the 
United  States  dealt  harshly  and  hastily  with  a  weak  nation,  when  justice  and  gener 
osity  might  have  accomplished  the  desired  result  without  staining  the  national  honor. 

In  1840  the  Whigs  won  their  first  victory  when  General  William  Henry 
Harrison  was  elected  to  the  presidency  and  John  Tyler  to  the  vice-presidency  ; 
and  though  no  declaration  of  principles  had  been  made  by  the  Whig  convention 


I  Andrew  Jackson  strongly  urged  the  annexation  of  Texas  as  a  military  measure.  In  support  of  his  proposition  he  sup 
posed  the  case  of  Great  Britain  forming  an  alliance  with  Texas  and  designing  war  against  the  United  States,  and  said:  "Pre 
paratory  to  such  a  movement  she  sends  her  io,ooo  or  30,000  men  to  Texas,  organizes  them  on  the  Sabine,  where  her  supplies 
and  arms  can  be  concentrated  before  we  have  even  notice  of  her  intentions;  makes  a  lodgment  on  the  Mississippi;  excites  the 
negroes  to  insurrection  ;  the  lower  country  falls,  and  with  it  New  Orleans ;  and  a  servile  war  rages  through  the  whole  South  and 
West.  In  the  meantime  she  is  also  moving  an  army  along  our  Western  frontier  from  Canada,  which,  in  co-operation  with  the 
army  from  Texas,  spreads  ruin  and  havoc  from  the  lakes  to  the  gulf  of  Mexico." 


INTRODUCTION 

which  had  nominated  them,  they  were  supposed  to  be  strongly  opposed  to  the 
annexation  of  Texas.  President  Harrison  died  on  April  4,  1841,  a  month  after 
taking  the  oath  of  office,  and  Tyler,  who  succeeded  to  the  presidency,  turned  his 
back  so  completely  on  the  principles  of  those  who  had  supported  him  that  he  was 
denounced  by  a  formal  caucus  of  Whig  members  of  Congress  as  false  to  his  trust. 
On  April  22,  1844,  he  created  a  sensation  by  sending  to  the  Senate  a  treaty  for  the 
annexation  of  Texas.  This  was  rejected,  18  to  25,  on  the  ground,  as  set  forth  by 
Senator  Thomas  H.  Benton  of  Missouri,  that  the  treaty  made  war  on  Mexico 
"  unconstitutionally,  perfidiously,  clandestinely,  and  piratically,"  while  Benton's 
plan  contemplated  a  fair  and  open  negotiation  with  Mexico  and  the  peaceful  acqui 
sition  of  the  desired  territory.  President  Tyler  appealed  from  the  Senate  to  the 
House,  but  too  late  for  action  at  that  session.  The  presidential  election  of  1844 
followed,  in  which  the  Democrats  carried  the  country,  electing  James  K.  Polk  over 
Henry  Clay,  the  annexation  of  Texas  being  the  principal  issue,  and  at  the  begin 
ning  of  the  second  session  of  the  twenty-eighth  Congress,  December  2,  1844, 
President  Tyler  announced  in  his  annual  message  that  Mexico  had  threatened  to 
renew  the  war  against  Texas,  being  impelled  to  vigorous  action  "  by  the  negotia 
tion  of  the  late  treaty  of  annexation,"  and  he  thought  steps  should  be  taken  by  the 
United  States  at  once  to  preserve  its  own  peace  and  tranquillity.  Bills  and  resolu 
tions  on  this  subject  were  immediately  introduced  in  Senate  and  House,  and  one  of 
the  greatest  debates  in  our  history  followed,  lasting  for  three  months,  at  the  end  of 
which  a  resolution  of  annexation1  was  adopted  by  both  houses  and  received  the 
approval  of  the  President  two  days  before  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office. 

I     JOINT  RESOLUTION  declaring  the  terms  on  which  Congress  will  admit  Texas  into  the  Union  as  a  State  : 

Be  it  resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  Con 
gress  doth  consent  that  the  territory  properly  included  within,  and  rightfully  belonging  to  the  republic  of  Texas,  may  be  erected 
into  a  new  State,  to  be  called  the  State  of  Texas,  with  a  republican  form  of  Government,  to  be  adopted  by  the  people  of  said  repub 
lic,  by  deputies  in  convention  assembled,  with  the  consent  of  the  existing  Government,  in  order  that  the  same  may  be  admitted  as 
one  of  the  States  of  this  Union. 

Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  foregoing  consent  of  Congress  is  given  upon  the  following  conditions,  and  with 
the  following  guarantees,  to-wit: 

First.  Said  State  to  be  formed,  subject  to  the  adjustment  by  this  Government  of  all  questions  of  boundary  that  may  arise  with 
other  Governments;  and  the  constitution  thereof,  with  the  proper  evidence  of  its  adoption  by  the  people  of  said  republic  of  Texas, 
shall  be  transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  be  laid  before  Congress  for  its  final  action,  on  or  before  the  first  day 
of  January,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six. 

Second.  Said  State,  when  admitted  into  the  Union,  after  ceding  to  the  United  States  all  public  edifices,  fortifications,  barracks, 
ports  and  harbors,  navy  and  navy  yards,  docks,  magazines,  arms,  armaments,  and  all  other  property  and  means  pertaining  to  the 
public  defence,  belonging  to  said  republic  of  Texas,  shall  retain  all  the  public  funds,  debts,  taxes  and  dues  of  every  kind,  which 
may  belong  to  or  be  due  or  owing  said  republic;  and  shall  also  retain  all  the  vacant  and  unappropriated  lands  lying  within  its 
limits,  to  be  applied  to  the  payment  of  the  debts  and  liabilities  of  said  republic  of  Texas  ;  and  the  residue  of  said  lands,  after  dis 
charging  said  debts  and  liabilities,  to  be  disposed  of  as  said  State  may  direct ;  but  in  no  event  are  said  debts  and  liabilities  to  become 
a  charge  upon  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 

Third.  New  States,  of  convenient  size,  not  exceeding  four  in  number,  in  addition  to  said  state  of  Texas,  and  having  sufficient 
population,  may  hereafter,  by  the  consent  of  said  State,  be  formed  out  of  the  territory  thereof,  which  shall  be  entitled  to  admission 
under  the  provisions  of  the  Federal  Constitution.  And  such  States  as  may  be  formed  out  of  that  portion  of  said  territory  lying 
south  of  thirty-six  degrees  thirty  minutes  north  latitude,  commonly  known  as  the  Missouri  compromise  line,  shall  be  admitted  into 
the  Union,  with  or  without  slavery,  as  the  people  of  each  State  asking  admission  may  desire.  And  in  such  State  or  States  as  shall 
be  formed  out  of  said  territory  north  of  the  Missouri  compromise  line,  slavery  or  involuntary  servitude  (except  for  crimes)  shall  be 
prohibited. 

Sec.  3.  And  be  it  further  resolved,  That  if  the  President  of  the  United  States  shall,  in  his  judgment  and  discretion,  deem  it 
advisable,  instead  of  proceeding  to  submit  the  foregoing  resolution  to  the  republic  of  Texas,  as  an  overture  on  the  part  of  the 
United  States  for  admission,  to  negotiate  with  that  republic,  then 

Be  it  resolved,  That  a  State,  to  be  formed  out  of  the  present  republic  of  Texas,  with  suitable  extent  and  boundaries,  and  with 
two  representatives  in  Congress  until  the  next  apportionment  of  representatives,  shall  be  admitted  into  the  Union  by  virtue  of  this 
act,  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  existing  States,  as  soon  as  the  terms  and  conditions  of  such  admission  and  the  cession  of  the  re 
maining  Texan  territory  to  the  United  States  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  the  Governments  of  Texas  and  the  United  States;  and  the 
sum  of  $100,000  is  hereby  appropriated  to  defray  the  expenses  of  missions  and  negotiations,  to  agree  upon  the  terms  of  said  admis 
sion  and  cession,  either  by  treaty  to  be  submitted  to  the  Senate,  or  by  articles  to  be  submitted  to  the  two  Houses  of  Congress,  as 
the  President  may  direct.  [Approved  and  signed  by  President  Tyler,  March  i,  1845.] 

xvii 


INTRODUCTION 

It  was  the  duty  of  General  Taylor  to  refrain  from  participation  in  the  contro 
versies  of  the  Whigs  and  the  Democrats  ;  they  contended  for  the  political  mastery 
of  a  country  of  which  he,  no  matter  what  the  result  between  them,  was  always  the 
obedient  servant.  In  a  letter  to  a  Mexican  officer  he  said  :  "  Charged  as  I  am,  in 
only  a  military  capacity,  with  the  performance  of  specific  duties,  I  can  not  enter 
into  a  discussion  of  the  international  question  involved."  This  was  the  principle 
on  which  he  and  other  Whig  soldiers — Scott,  for  example — acted  throughout  the 
struggle.  In  1844  General  Taylor  would  have  been  gratified  if  Clay,  the  Whig 
leader,  had  been  elected  to  the  presidency ;  no  doubt  he  condemned  the  desertion 
of  Tyler,  and  after  the  triumph  of  Polk  he  sympathized  with  the  Whigs  in  their 
opposition  to  annexation  and  war,  but  his  duty,  as  he  conceived  it,  was  to  carry  out 
the  orders  of  the  President  and  the  Secretary  of  War,  regardless  of  his  personal 
opinions,  and  certainly  no  man  in  our  history  ever  served  with  greater  zeal,  loyalty, 
and  devotion  ;  though  at  times  he  was  sorely  tried  by  the  hostility  of  those  who 
were  jealous  of  his  growing  fame. 

The  joint  resolution  of  Congress  was  transmitted  to  the  President  of  Texas ; 
and  the  Congress  of  Texas,  and  subsequently  a  popular  convention,  ratified  it  in 
the  summer  of  1845.  Information  of  this  action  was  communicated  to  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States  by  President  Polk  on  December  9,  1845,  and  a  resolution1 
admitting  Texas  to  the  Union  was  passed  in  the  House  by  a  vote  of  141  to  56  and 
in  the  Senate  by  31  to  14,  and  was  approved  by  President  Polk  on  December  2Qth. 

This  resolution  meant  war,  and  both  sides  began  to  prepare  for  it  in  earnest. 
But  William  L.  Marcy,  the  efficient  Secretary  of  War,  had  sent  confidential 
instructions  to  General  Taylor  as  early  as  May  28, 1845.  Anticipating  the  annexa 
tion  of  Texas,  he  determined  to  guard  against  all  contingencies,  and  he  directed 
General  Taylor  to  open  correspondence  with  the  authorities  of  Texas,  and  should 
the  territory  of  Texas  be  invaded  to  "expel  the  invaders."  On  June  15,  1845, 
Secretary  Marcy  directed  him  to  advance  forthwith  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sabine, 
which  divided  Louisiana  from  Texas,  or  to  such  other  point  on  the  gulf  as  would 
be  most  convenient  "  for  an  embarkation  at  the  proper  time  for  the  western  fron 
tier  of  Texas,"  his  ultimate  destination  to  be  a  site  on  the  Rio  Grande  which 
"  will  be  best  adapted  to  repel  invasion  ;  "  and  he  was  to  limit  himself  to  the 

I  JOINT  RESOLUTION  for  the  admission  of  the  State  of  Texas  into  the  Union.  Whereas  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
by  a  joint  resolution  approved  March  the  1st,  184$,  did  consent  that  the  territory  properly  included  within,  and  rightfully  belong 
ing  to,  the  Republic  of  Texas,  might  be  erected  into  a  new  State,  to  be  called  the  State  of  Texas,  with  a  republican  form  of 
Government  to  be  adopted  by  the  people  of  said  republic  by  deputies  in  convention  assembled,  with  the  consent  of  the  existing 
Government,  in  order  that  the  same  might  be  admitted  as  one  of  the  States  of  the  Union  ;  which  consent  of  Congress  was  given 
upon  certain  conditions  specified  in  the  first  and  second  sections  of  said  joint  resolution  :  And  whereas  the  people  of  the  said 
Republic  of  Texas,  by  deputies  in  convention  assembled,  with  the  consent  of  the  existing  Government,  did  adopt  a  constitution, 
and  erect  a  new  State,  with  a  republican  form  of  Government,  and  in  the  name  of  the  people  of  Texas,  and  by  their  authority, 
did  ordain  and  declare  that  they  assented  to  and  accepted  the  proposals,  conditions,  and  guarantees  contained  in  said  first  and  sec 
ond  sections  of  said  resolution  :  And  whereas  the  said  constitution,  with  the  proper  evidence  of  its  adoption  by  the  people  of  the 
Republic  of  Texas,  has  been  transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  laid  before  Congress,  in  conformity  to  the 
provisions  of  said  joint  resolution  :  Therefore, 

Be  it  resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the 
State  of  Texas  shall  be  one,  and  is  hereby  declared  to  be  one,  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  admitted  into  the  Union  on 
an  equal  footing  with  the  original  states  in  all  respects  whatever. 

Be  it  further  resolved,  That  until  the  representatives  in  Congress  shall  be  apportioned  according  to  the  actual  enumeration  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States,  the  State  of  Texas  shall  be  entitled  to  choose  two  representatives. 

xviii 


INTRODUCTION 

defence  of  the  territory  of  Texas,  "  unless  Mexico  should  declare  war  against  the 
United  States."  The  river  Nueces  had  been  set  by  Mexico  as  the  western  bound 
ary  of  Texas,  while  Texas  claimed  to  the  Rio  Grande.  The  territory  between 
these  rivers  was,  therefore,  in  dispute.  When  American  troops  crossed  the  Nueces 
Mexico  was  certain  to  regard  her  territory  as  invaded,  and  if  Mexican  troops 
crossed  the  Rio  Grande  the  United  States  was  to  regard  that  as  an  invasion,  and, 
in  the  language  of  Secretary  Marcy,  as  "  the  commencement  of  hostilities."  This, 
then,  was  the  situation  when  General  Taylor  with  eight  companies  of  the  Third 
Infantry  left  New  Orleans  on  July  25th  and  proceeded  to  Corpus  Christi,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Nueces.  Other  troops  were  hurried  forward,  the  Fourth,  the  Fifth, 
and  the  Eighth  Infantry,  some  artillery,  and  the  Louisiana  Volunteers,  until  there 
was  an  army  of  3,000  men.  The  commander  gave  unremitting  attention  to  dis 
cipline,  drill,  and  organization,  while  awaiting  advices  from  his  superior  officers. 
Writing  from  Washington  January  13,  1846,  Secretary  Marcy  gave  the  critical 
order  :  "Advance  and  occupy  with  the  troops  under  your  command,  positions  on 
or  near  the  east  bank  of  the  Rio  del  Norte  [Rio  Grande]  as  soon  as  can  be  con 
veniently  done."  This  order  was  obeyed  as  soon  as  received.  Early  in  March 
General  Taylor  sent  part  of  his  force  by  water  and  the  remainder  by  land  to  Point 
Isabel,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande,  where  a  supply  depot  was  established. 
Then  he  moved  southward  and  on  March  28th  came  in  sight  of  the  great  river. 
Opposite  the  Mexican  town  of  Matamoros  he  threw  up  entrenchments,  subse 
quently  called  Fort  Brown,  in  honor  of  the  officer  who  defended  it  so  gallantly. 
General  Ampudia  reached  Matamoros  and  took  command  of  the  Mexican  forces  on 
April  iith  and  on  the  following  day  sent  a  formal  protest  to  General  Taylor  and  a 
peremptory  demand  that  he  retire  within  twenty-four  hours  to  the  left  bank  of  the 
Nueces.  The  American  officer  replied  :  "  The  instructions  under  which  I  am 
acting  will  not  permit  me  to  retrograde  from  the  position  I  now  occupy,"  and  he 
would  leave  the  responsibility  on  "  those  who  rashly  commence  hostilities."  A 
few  days  later  General  Arista  arrived  and  superseded  Ampudia.  There  were  6,000 
well  equipped  soldiers  under  his  command  and  his  plan  was  to  feign  a  crossing  of 
the  Rio  Grande  above  Taylor's  camp,  but  to  make  the  principal  crossing  below  it, 
throw  his  main  force  upon  Taylor's  line  of  supplies,  capture  Point  Isabel,  break 
the  river  blockade,  and  then  destroy  the  American  army  at  his  leisure.  But  Gen 
eral  Taylor  was  not  to  be  deceived.  He  strengthened  Fort  Brown  and  then  moved 
back,  not  only  to  protect  his  base  but  to  get  the  Mexican  army  between  himself 
and  the  fort.  This  strategy  succeeded  and  as  expected  the  Mexican  army  was 
divided,  a  portion  attacking  Fort  Brown  and  the  remainder  following  Taylor,  who 
was  supposed  to  be  in  full  retreat  before  "  the  invincible  army  of  Mexico."  After 
strengthening  his  base  of  supplies  Taylor  started  forward  on  May  jth  to  meet  the 
enemy,  his  force  consisting  of  177  officers  and  2,1  n  men.  On  May  8,  1846,  he 
met  the  Mexicans  and  fought  and  won  the  battle  of  Palo  Alto — the  first  conflict 


XIX 


INTRODUCTION 

of  the  Mexican  war.  His  loss  was  only  nine  killed,  forty-four  wounded,  and  two 
missing.  The  Mexican  force  was  nearly  three  times  as  large  as  Taylor's  and  lost 
at  least  2OO  killed  and  400  wounded.  The  American  General  said  :  "  Exposed 
for  hours  to  the  severest  trial — cannonade  of  artillery — our  troops  displayed  a  cool 
ness  and  constancy  which  gave  me  throughout  the  assurance  of  victory." 

We  now  leave  these  remarkable  letters  to  tell  the  remainder  of  the  thrilling 
story — the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma  on  May  gth  ;  the  crossing  of  the  Rio 
Grande  ;  the  occupation  of  Matamoros  ;  the  storming  and  capture  of  Monterey 
on  September  24th,  which  electrified  the  whole  country  and  made  Taylor  a  national 
hero  ;  the  heartless  impoverishment  of  his  command  by  Scott,  who,  jealous  of  his 
fame,  wanted  the  military  glory  himself,  and  the  marvelous  battle  of  Buena  Vista, 
February  22  and  23,  1847,  fought  mainly  by  volunteers,  which  saved  the  situation 
and  formed  a  fitting  climax  to  Taylor's  glorious  career  as  a  soldier.  He  was  made 
a  major-general  by  brevet  May  28,  1846,  "for  gallant  conduct  and  distinguished 
service  "  at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma  and  reached  the  full  rank  on  June 
29th.  On  July  16,  1846,  he  received  the  thanks  of  Congress  "  for  the  fortitude, 
skill,  enterprise,  and  courage  which  have  distinguished  the  recent  operations  on  the 
Rio  Grande,"  and  a  gold  medal  was  presented  "  in  the  name  of  the  Republic  as  a 
tribute  to  his  good  conduct,  valor,  and  generosity  to  the  vanquished."  He  was 
further  honored  by  Congress  as  follows:  By  resolution  of  March  2,  1847,  "  f°r 
the  fortitude,  skill,  enterprise,  and  courage  which  distinguished  the  late  brilliant 
military  operations  at  Monterey,"  and  with  the  presentation  of  a  gold  medal, 
"  emblematical  of  this  splendid  achievement,  as  a  testimony  of  the  high  sense 
entertained  by  Congress  of  his  judicious  and  distinguished  conduct  on  that  memor 
able  occasion,"  and  by  the  resolution  of  May  9,  1848,  "  for  himself  and  the 
troops  under  his  command  for  their  valor,  skill,  and  gallant  conduct  conspicuously 
displayed  on  the  22nd  and  23rd  of  February  last,  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  in 
defeating  a  Mexican  army  of  more  than  four  times  their  number,  consisting  of 
chosen  troops  under  their  favorite  commander,  General  Santa  Anna,"  the  resolu 
tion  directing  "  the  presentation  of  a  gold  medal  emblematical  of  this  splendid 
achievement,  as  a  testimony  of  the  high  sense  entertained  by  Congress  of  his  judi 
cious  and  distinguished  conduct  on  that  memorable  occasion."  It  may  be  added, 
to  complete  the  record,  that  General  Taylor  resigned  from  the  army  January 
31,  1849. 

The  Letters  will  be  read  with  absorbing  interest.  As  a  revelation  of  character 
they  are  wonderful.  They  show  Taylor's  patience,  loyalty,  and  devotion;  his  ten 
der  regard  for  his  soldiers;  his  obedience  to  orders  without  murmur  or  question; 
his  earnest  striving  amid  great  discouragements  to  accomplish  glorious  results  for  his 
country,  and  his  solicitude  for  the  members  of  his  family.  His  wife,  his  children, 
and  his  grandchildren  were  constantly  in  his  thoughts ;  when  the  roar  and  carnage 
of  battle  were  over  and  his  military  duties  relaxed  for  a  moment,  he  sat  down  by 


INTRODUCTION 

candlelight  to  write  to  those  he  loved  and  who  were  alarmed  for  his  safety.  And 
because  these  letters  are  such  a  revelation  of  a  noble  character  they  are  printed  pre 
cisely  as  he  wrote  them — without  the  omission  of  a  single  word,  without  a  change 
in  spelling  or  punctuation.  The  reader  will  remember  under  what  unfavorable  con 
ditions  they  were  written  and  be  lenient  in  criticism  of  the  language  in  which  the  old 
soldier  clothed  his  thoughts  and  revealed  the  strength  and  simplicity  of  a  noble  char 
acter.  That  General  Taylor  could  write  with  clearness,  vigor,  and  accuracy  is  shown 
by  the  extraordinary  letter,  to  be  found  in  the  Appendix,  which  he  addressed  to  Sec 
retary  Buchanan — a  letter  which,  as  Prescott,  the  historian,  said,  "will  form  the 
nucleus  for  a  full  history  of  the  Mexican  war,  and  the  events  connected  with  it," 
and  in  which  General  Taylor  exposes  the  jealousy  and  narrowness  of  Scott,  who 
stripped  him  of  his  veteran  soldiers  and  left  him  in  jeopardy  on  the  Rio  Grande,  as 
the  scene  of  decisive  battle  was  deliberately  shifted.  Even  the  honor  of  accompany 
ing  his  brave  troops  and  sharing  in  their  privations  and  their  triumphs  was  denied  to 
the  hero  of  Monterey. 

But  he  was  destined  to  win  a  glorious  victory  over  those  who  intrigued  against 
him,  by  reaching  the  most  exalted  station  within  the  gift  of  his  fellow  citizens,  who 
understood  the  value  of  his  services,  had  learned  to  love  him  for  his  courage  and 
devotion,  strongly  resented  the  intrigue  against  him,  and  were  determined  to  bestow 
the  highest  reward. 

General  Taylor  was  not  a  candidate  for  the  presidency,  but  longed  for  rest 
on  that  pleasant  Southern  plantation,  surrounded  by  the  members  of  his  family  ;  he 
had  been  a  military  man  all  his  life,  had  been  on  the  frontier  most  of  the  time, 
and  was  worn  in  his  country's  service  ;  moreover,  he  had  paid  little  attention  to 
political  questions,  and  recognized  the  fact  that  his  inexperience  might  prove  fatal 
in  civil  life.  But  after  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  he  was  urged  to  allow  his  friends 
to  bring  him  forward  as  a  candidate,  and  at  length  the  appeals  were  so  strong  and 
so  insistent  that  he  yielded  so  far  as  to  say  that  if  he  were  called  by  the  united 
voice  of  his  country  he  would  not  decline  to  serve  in  the  presidency  ;  but  he  would 
not  appear  as  a  contestant  for  that  office,  or  allow  himself  to  be  used  as  a  partisan. 
This,  of  course,  was  a  position  that  demonstrated  his  unfamiliarity  with  political 
conditions,  for  there  were  two  strong  contending  parties  divided  by  sharp  differ 
ences  of  opinion  as  to  the  war  itself,  and  on  the  treasury,  tariff,  slavery,  and 
Oregon  questions,  so  that  it  was  folly  to  expect  that  they  would  unite  upon  a  single 
candidate,  no  matter  how  able  or  popular  he  might  be.  General  Taylor's  friends 
recognized  this  and  continued  to  urge  him  to  step  forth  as  a  Whig  and  seek  the 
nomination  of  that  party.  At  length  he  consented,  and  it  is  probable  that  the 
natural  desire  to  thwart  the  political  ambition  of  Scott  was  an  incentive.  The 
administration  that  had  carried  on  the  war  was  Democratic  ;  the  leading  generals 
who  had  won  the  victories  were  Whigs,  and  it  is  likely  that  if  Taylor  had  not  been 
a  candidate  for  the  Whig  nomination  Scott  would  have  secured  it  and  been  elected. 


INTRODUCTION 

So  it  may  be  said  that  Scott's  failure  to  win  the  high  office  which  had  long  been 
the  object  of  his  ambition  was  due  largely  to  his  harsh,  not  to  say  brutal,  treatment 
of  Zachary  Taylor  in  taking  away  his  troops  and  leaving  him,  as  he  thought,  to  a 
life  of  inactivity  and  obscurity  on  the  banks  of  the  Rio  Grande. 

The  Democratic  convention  of  1848  met  at  Baltimore  on  May  22d  and 
nominated  Lewis  Cass  of  Michigan  for  President  and  General  William  O.  Butler 
of  Kentucky  for  Vice-President,  the  former  a  Northern  statesman  with  Southern 
principles  and  the  latter  an  able  soldier  who  had  fought  with  great  credit  in  the 
Mexican  war  under  both  Taylor  and  Scott.  There  was  little  hope  of  success  at 
the  polls,  owing  to  the  irreconcilable  differences  between  the  two  factions  of  the 
party  in  New  York — the  anti-slavery  wing  called  "  Barn-burners  "  in  allusion  to 
the  story  of  the  man  who  burned  his  barn  to  drive  out  the  rats,  and  the  "  Hunkers," 
so  called  because  their  opponents  said  they  u  hunkered "  for  the  offices.  The 
Whig  convention,  therefore,  which  assembled  at  Philadelphia  on  June  7th  was  the 
scene  of  great  excitement,  for  apparently  its  nominees  were  certain  to  carry  the 
country.  Zachary  Taylor  led  on  every  ballot  and  was  nominated  for  president  on 
the  fourth,  receiving  171  votes,  as  against  63  for  General  Scott,  32  for  Henry  Clay, 
and  14  for  Daniel  Webster.  His  support  came  from  every  section  of  the  country, 
but  was  weakest  from  New  England,  where  Webster  and  Clay  were  the  favorites. 
On  the  second  ballot  Millard  Fillmore  of  New  York  was  nominated  for  Vice- 
President  and  amid  great  enthusiasm  the  convention  adjourned  without  making  any 
declaration  of  principles  whatever.  The  most  exciting  incident  of  the  convention 
was  the  effort  of  certain  Whigs  to  pass  a  resolution  demanding  from  General 
Taylor  a  promise  to  adhere  to  Whig  principles  in  the  event  of  his  election,  for 
"no  man  ought  to  receive  the  nomination  of  a  Whig  convention  who  will  not  be 
an  exponent  of  Whig  doctrines."  Their  failure  led  to  the  nomination  of  Martin 
Van  Buren  by  conventions  that  met  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  Utica,  N.  Y.  ;  and 
candidates  who  received  no  support  whatever  at  the  polls  were  nominated  by  other 
dissatisfied  factions  and  groups  elsewhere.  The  popular  vote  at  the  election  was 
divided  as  follows  :  Taylor,  1,360,099  ;  Cass,  1,220,544,  and  Van  Buren, 
291,263.  General  Taylor  carried  the  states  of  Vermont,  Massachusetts,  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland, 
North  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Louisiana,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky — fifteen 
states  in  all,  with  163  electoral  votes,  and  Cass  carried  Maine,  New  Hampshire, 
Virginia,  South  Carolina,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Texas,  Arkansas,  Missouri,  Ohio, 
Michigan,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  and  Iowa — fifteen  states  with  127  electoral 
votes. 

In  a  short  but  admirable  Inaugural  Address  President  Taylor  expressed  the 
hope  that  with  "  an  honest  purpose  to  do  whatever  is  right  "  and  with  the  assist 
ance  of  men  of  talents,  integrity,  and  purity  he  would  be  able  to  "  execute  dili 
gently,  impartially,  and  for  the  best  interests  of  the  country  "  the  manifold  duties 


INTRODUCTION 

of  his  office.  The  Constitution,  he  said,  would  be  his  guide  and  for  the  interpre 
tation  of  it  he  would  look  to  the  decisions  of  the  courts  and  "  the  practice  of  the 
government  under  the  earlier  Presidents,  who  had  so  large  a  share  in  its  formation." 
He  proclaimed  his  fixed  determination  to  maintain  the  government  in  its  original 
purity  and  to  adopt  as  the  basis  of  his  public  policy  "  those  great  republican  doc 
trines  which  constitute  the  strength  of  our  national  existence."  Following  the 
example  of  Washington,  he  would  avoid  entangling  alliances  with  foreign  nations  ; 
in  their  disputes  he  would  be  neutral  ;  he  would  cultivate  friendly  relations  with  all 
the  powers,  and  if  differences  arose  he  would  hope  to  adjust  them  by  wise  negotia 
tion.  After  remarking  that  the  appointing  power  vested  in  the  President  imposes 
delicate  and  onerous  duties,  he  declared  his  belief  in  the  principles  of  what  we 
call  civil  service  reform,  by  saying  :  "  So  far  as  it  is  possible  to  be  informed,  I 
shall  make  honesty,  capacity,  and  fidelity  indispensable  prerequisites  to  the  bestowal 
of  office,  and  the  absence  of  either  of  these  qualities  shall  be  deemed  sufficient 
cause  for  removal."  The  Inaugural  was  concluded  as  follows  :  "  I  congratulate 
you,  my  fellow-citizens,  upon  the  high  state  of  prosperity  to  which  the  goodness 
of  Divine  Providence  has  conducted  our  common  country.  Let  us  invoke  a  con 
tinuance  of  the  same  protecting  care  which  has  led  us  from  small  beginnings  to  the 
eminence  we  this  day  occupy,  and  let  us  seek  to  deserve  that  continuance  by  pru 
dence  and  moderation  in  our  councils,  by  well-directed  attempts  to  assuage  the 
bitterness  which  too  often  marks  unavoidable  differences  of  opinion,  by  the  promul 
gation  and  practice  of  just  and  liberal  principles,  and  by  an  enlarged  patriotism, 
which  shall  acknowledge  no  limits  but  those  of  our  own  wide-spread  Republic." 

The  favorable  impression  made  by  this  address  was  strengthened  when  Presi 
dent  Taylor  announced  his  cabinet,  as  follows  :  John  M.  Clayton  of  Delaware, 
Secretary  of  State  ;  William  M.  Meredith  of  Pennsylvania,  Secretary  of  the  Treas 
ury  ;  George  W.  Crawford  of  Georgia,  Secretary  of  War  j  Thomas  Ewing  of 
Ohio,  Secretary  of  the  Interior ;  William  B.  Preston  of  Virginia,  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  ;  Jacob  Collamer  of  Vermont,  Postmaster-General,  and  Reverdy  Johnson  of 
Maryland,  Attorney-General — all  of  whom  were  Whig  lawyers  known  to  the 
country  to  be  men  of  character  and  ability.  All  but  Mr.  Meredith  had  served  in 
Congress. 

In  his  first  annual  message,  December  4,  1849,  President  Taylor  congratu 
lated  Congress  that  the  United  States  "  presents  to  the  world  the  most  stable  and 
permanent  government  on  earth."  He  discussed  our  foreign  relations  and  rejoiced 
that  his  country  was  at  peace  with  all  the  world.  He  urged  legislation  to  sup 
press  the  African  slave  trade ;  he  discussed  the  construction  of  an  interoceanic 
canal  through  Nicaragua  and  expressed  the  opinion  that  it  should  not  be  under  the 
exclusive  control  of  a  single  power  ;  he  recommended  a  revision  of  the  tariff  to 
augment  the  revenue  and  did  not  doubt  the  right  and  duty  of  Congress  to  encour 
age  domestic  industry  and  manufactures ;  agriculture  should  be  encouraged  also, 


INTRODUCTION 

and  he  suggested  that  a  bureau  of  agriculture  should  be  created  ;  he  hoped  mem 
bers  of  Congress  would  abstain  from  the  introduction  of  exciting  topics  of  a  sec 
tional  character  and  repeated  the  solemn  warning  of  Washington  against  furnishing 
"  any  ground  for  characterizing  parties  by  geographical  discriminations ;  "  he  fore 
saw  that  in  a  few  years  large  and  prosperous  communities  would  arise  on  the 
Western  coast,  and  after  discussing  the  construction  of  a  trans-continental  railroad 
urged  a  careful  investigation  of  route  and  cost  by  a  scientific  corps  ;  liberal  appro 
priations  should  be  made  for  rivers  and  harbors  ;  old  and  faithful  army  officers 
should  be  cared  for  at  public  expense ;  he  strongly  recommended  reduction  of 
letter  postage  to  5  cents  ;  he  expressed  great  confidence  in  Congress  and  regarded 
the  Presidential  veto  as  "  an  extreme  measure,  to  be  resorted  to  only  in  extraordi 
nary  cases  ;  "  attachment  to  the  Union  should  be  habitually  fostered  ;  the  patriots 
who  formed  it  had  long  since  descended  to  their  graves,  yet  it  still  remained  the 
proudest  monument  to  their  memory,  and  as  its  dissolution  would  be  the  greatest 
of  calamities,  the  study  of  every  true  American  should  be  to  avert  it.  "  Upon  its 
preservation  must  depend  our  own  happiness  and  that  of  countless  generations  to 
come.  Whatever  dangers  may  threaten  it,  I  shall  stand  by  it  and  maintain  it  in  its 
integrity  to  the  full  extent  of  the  obligations  imposed  and  the  powers  conferred 
upon  me  by  the  Constitution." 

The  acquisition  of  new  territory  and  the  pressing  question  of  slavery  brought 
great  dangers  upon  the  country  by  increasing  the  bitterness  of  sectional  feeling.  It 
is  clear  from  his  Inaugural  and  from  the  solemn  warnings  of  his  Message  that 
President  Taylor  looked  to  the  future  with  grave  apprehension  ;  and  no  doubt  his 
friends  were  justified  in  regarding  him  as  peculiarly  fitted  for  the  delicate  and  diffi 
cult  duties  of  the  presidential  office  at  this  critical  time,  and  as  competent  to 
smooth  over  difficulties,  decrease  the  violence  of  faction,  and  avert  a  national  cal 
amity  by  a  reconciliation  of  individual  and  sectional  differences.  He  was  not  only 
popular  at  the  North  because  he  was  a  Whig  and  a  military  hero,  but  he  had  the 
confidence  of  the  South,  for  he  was  a  slave-owner  and  a  Southerner  by  birth.  If 
there  could  be  union  upon  anybody,  President  Taylor  seemed  to  be  the  man.  It 
is,  however,  idle  to  speculate  upon  what  he  might  have  accomplished  ;  in  a  little 
more  than  a  year  after  his  inauguration  the  hand  of  Death  was  laid  upon  him  and 
his  career,  full  of  achievement  and  fairly  won  fame,  and  distinguished  throughout  by 
unselfish  devotion  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  American  people,  came  to  a  sudden 
close  and  clouded  the  country  with  mourning.  On  July  4,  1850,  the  corner-stone 
of  the  monument  to  Washington  was  laid  at  the  national  capital  and  President 
Taylor  took  an  important  part  in  the  ceremonies.  It  was  an  exceedingly  hot  day 
— the  heat  was  more  oppressive  than  he  had  found  it  in  Florida  or  Mexico — the 
exercises  were  long  and  tiresome,  and  even  before  he  left  his  carriage  at  the  monu 
ment  he  complained  of  giddiness  and  headache ;  but  he  refused  to  abandon  what 
he  conceived  to  be  his  duty.  He  experienced  unusual  thirst  which  was  not  allayed 


xxiv 


INTRODUCTION 

by  large  draughts  of  cold  water,  and  finally  when  the  ceremonies  closed  and  he 
reached  the  White  House  he  drank  freely  of  iced  milk  and  ate  heartily  of  cherries ; 
an  hour  after  dinner  he  was  taken  seriously  ill ;  painful  cramps  were  followed  by 
cholera  morbus,  the  attack  did  not  yield  to  treatment,  his  strong  constitution  weak 
ened,  and  an  intermittent  fever  developed.  He  sank  rapidly,  and  died  at  half-past 
ten  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  July  9,  1850,  surrounded  by  members  of  his  family 
and  a  few  intimate  friends.  His  beloved  wife,  his  favorite  daughter  Mrs.  Bliss  and 
her  husband,  his  brother  Colonel  Taylor,  his  friend  Jefferson  Davis,  Vice-Presi- 
dent  Fillmore,  and  all  the  members  of  the  cabinet  were  with  him.  These  were 
the  last  words  of  the  great  soldier  :  "  I  am  about  to  die.  I  expect  the  summons 
very  soon.  I  have  endeavored  to  discharge  all  my  official  duties  faithfully.  I 
regret  nothing,  but  am  sorry  that  I  am  about  to  leave  my  friends." 

The  Vice-President  immediately  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  presidential 
office  and  on  the  following  day  issued  a  proclamation  in  which,  after  announcing 
the  death  of  President  Taylor,  he  said  :  "  His  last  public  appearance  was  while 
participating  in  the  ceremonies  of  our  national  anniversary,  at  the  base  of  the 
monument  now  rearing  to  the  memory  of  Washington.  His  last  official  act  was 
to  affix  his  signature  to  the  convention  recently  concluded  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain.  The  vigor  of  a  constitution  strong  by  nature,  and  con 
firmed  by  active  and  temperate  habits,  had  in  later  years  become  impaired  by  the 
arduous  toils  and  exposures  of  the  military  life.  Solely  engrossed  in  maintaining 
the  honor  and  advancing  the  glory  of  his  country,  in  a  career  of  forty  years  in  the 
army  of  the  United  States  he  rendered  himself  signal  and  illustrious.  An  unbroken 
current  of  success  and  victory,  terminated  by  an  achievement  unsurpassed  in  our 
annals,  left  nothing  to  be  accomplished  for  his  military  fame.  His  conduct  and 
courage  gave  him  this  career  of  unexampled  fortune,  and,  with  the  crowning  virtues 
of  moderation  and  humanity  under  all  circumstances,  and  especially  in  the  moment 
of  victory,  revealed  to  his  countrymen  those  great  and  good  qualities  which  induced 
them,  unsolicited,  to  call  him  from  his  high  military  command  to  the  highest  civil 
office  of  honor  and  trust  in  the  republic  ;  not  that  he  desired  to  be  first,  but  that  he 
was  felt  to  be  worthiest.  The  simplicity  of  his  character,  the  singleness  of  his 
purpose,  the  elevation  and  patriotism  of  his  principles,  his  moral  courage,  his 
justice,  magnanimity,  and  benevolence,  his  wisdom,  moderation,  and  power  of  com 
mand,  while  they  have  endeared  him  to  the  heart  of  the  nation,  add  to  the  deep 
sense  of  the  national  calamity  in  the  loss  of  a  Chief  Magistrate  whom  death  itself 
could  not  appall  in  the  consciousness  of  having  always  done  his  duty." 

The  funeral  was  held  on  July  I3th;  and,  as  a  nation  mourned,  the  remains 
were  deposited  in  the  cemetery  at  Capitol  Hill,  from  which  they  were  removed,  a 
few  months  later,  to  the  old  homestead  at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  "  His  death," 
said  Thomas  H.  Benton,  Missouri's  great  senator,  and  one  of  his  political  oppo 
nents,  "  was  a  public  calamity.  No  man  could  have  been  more  devoted  to  the 


INTRODUCTION 

Union  or  more  opposed  to  slavery  agitation  ;  and  his  position  as  a  Southern  man 
and  a  slave-holder,  his  military  reputation,  and  his  election  by  a  majority  of  the 
people  and  of  the  States,  would  have  given  him  a  power  in  the  settlement  of  these 
questions  which  no  president  without  these  qualifications  could  have  possessed.  In 
his  political  division  he  classed  with  the  Whig  party,  but  his  administration,  as  far 
as  it  went,  was  applauded  by  the  Democracy,  and  promised  to  be  so  to  the  end  of 
his  official  term."  Let  us  conclude  this  sketch  with  an  extract  from  the  tribute 
of  Daniel  Webster :  "  I  believe  he  was  especially  regarded  as  a  firm  and  a  mild 
man  in  the  exercise  of  authority  ;  and  I  have  observed  more  than  once,  in  this  and 
other  popular  governments,  that  the  prevalent  motive  of  the  masses  of  mankind  for 
conferring  high  honors  upon  individuals  is  a  confidence  in  their  mildness,  their 
paternal,  protecting,  prudent,  and  safe  character.  I  suppose  that  no  case  ever  hap 
pened,  in  the  very  best  days  of  the  Roman  republic,  when  a  man  found  himself 
clothed  with  the  highest  authority  in  the  state,  under  circumstances  more  repelling 
all  suspicion  of  personal  application,  of  pursuing  any  crooked  path  in  politics,  or 
of  having  been  actuated  by  sinister  views  and  purposes,  than  in  the  case  of  this 
worthy  and  eminent  and  distinguished  and  good  man." 

WILLIAM   H.  SAMSON. 


-,.>«- 

0,-    TH- 


3RIVATE   PLATE 


LETTERS  OF  Z  AC  HART  TATLOR 


Camp  three  miles  from  Matamoros  on  the 
field  of  battle  10  o'clock  at  night 
May  9th  1 846 

IT  dear  Dr 

After  a  severe  affair  of  yesterday,1  principally  with 
artillery,  with  six  thousand  of  the  best  Mexican  troops 
we  succeeded  after  a  continued  contest  of  five  hours  in 
driving  the  enemy  from  his  position  &  occupying  the 
same  laying  on  our  arms  ;  at  day  light  he  was  still  in 
sight,  apparently  disposed  to  renew  the  contest,  but  on  our  making  the 
arrangements  for  doing  so  he  retired  on  the  Matamoros  road  &  took  a 
strong  position  at  this  place,  &  awaited  the  attack  which  we  commenced 
at  about  four  o'clock  P.  M.  &  after  a  severe  contest  of  two  hours  a  close 
quarters  we  succeeded  in  gaining  a  complete  victory,2  dispersing  them  in 
every  direction  taking  their  artillery,  baggage  or  means  of  transportation,  a 
number  of  standards  &c,  with  a  great  loss  of  killed,  wounded  &  prisoners, 
one  of  the  first  is  a  Gen1  of  artillery,  &  among  the  latter  is  Gen1  Lavega 
one  of  the  most  accomplished  officers  of  their  army  ;  the  war  I  have  no 
doubt  is  completely  brought  to  a  close  on  this  side  the  Rio  Grande  ;  the 
enemy  who  escaped  having  recrossed  said  river —  So  brilliant  an  achieve 
ment  could  not  be  expected  without  heavy  loss  on  our  side,  we  have 
many  killed  &  wounded  among  the  former  is  Mr  Inge3  of  the  dragoons, 
Cockran*  of  the  fourth  Infy.  &  ChadbournS  of  the  8th  among  the  latter 

I     Battle  of  Palo  Alto,  the  first  of  the  Mexican  war. 

z     Battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  which  closed  the  purely  defensive  operations.    Thereafter  General  Taylor  operated  entirely 
in  the  enemy's  country. 

3  Zebulon   M.  P.  Inge  was  born   in  Alabama,  was   graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in   1838,  was  appointed  second 
lieutenant  of  the  Second   Dragoons,  and  became   lieutenant  in   1841.     He  was  killed  while  charging  with   the  Dragoons  under 
Captain  Charles  Augustus  May.     It  was  this  charge  that  decided  the  battle. 

4  Richard  E.  Cochrane  was  born  in  Delaware,  was  appointed  second  lieutenant  of  the  Fourth  Infantry  in  1838,  and  became 
first  lieutenant  in  1841. 

5  Theodore   L.  Chadbourne  was  born   in   Maine,  was  graduated  from  the   Military  Academy  in  1843,  and   became  second 
lieutenant  of  the  Eighth  Infantry  in  1845. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

is  Co1  Mclntosh1  Pain2  Capt  Hooe3  L<  Gates*  Jordon5  Selden6  &  Bur- 
bank?  &  some  others  besides  many  n  cd  officers8  &  privates —  My 
orders  was  to  make  free  use  of  the  bayonet,  which  was  done  as  far  as  it 
be,  or  as  the  enemy  would  permit—  I  have  escaped  alth°  I  was  as  much 
exposed  as  any  one  on  the  ground —  The  fort  was  safe,  but  Majr 
Brown9  died  to-day  from  a  severe  injury  he  recd  from  a  shell  ;  which  has 
thrown  a  gloom  over  the  whole  affair —  My  respects  to  Dr  Wells,10 
Munroe,11  &  Saunders,  &  I  may  say  any  other  inquiring  friends 

Yours  Truly 

&  Sincerely 

Z.  TAYLOR 
DR  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 


1  James  S.  Mclntosh  was  born  in  Liberty  county,  Ga.,  June  19,  1787,  and  entered  the  army  as  a  second  lieutenant  in  1812. 
He  was  severely  wounded  at  Black  Rock  in   1814  and   became  captain  in    1817,  major  in   1836,  and  lieutenant-colonel  in   1839. 
After  recovering  from  severe  wounds  received  in  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma  he  commanded  a  brigade  in  the  valley  of  Mexico 
and  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  head  of  his  column  in  the  assault  on  Molino  del  Rey,  dying  in  the  City  of  Mexico  September 
26,  1847. 

2  Matthew  M.  Payne  was  born  in  Virginia  and  in  1812  pined  the  army  as  first  lieutenant  of  the  Twentieth  Infantry.     He 
became  captain  in  1814,  major  in  1836,  and  lieutenant-colonel  in  1843.     In  1846  he  received  the  brevet  of  colonel  for  gallant  and 
distinguished  service  at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma.     He  resigned  irom  the  army  in  1861  and  died  August  I,  1862. 

j     Alexander  S.  Hooe  was  born  in  Virginia,  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1827  and  by  1838  was  a  captain. 
He  received  the  brevet  of  major  for  gallantry  under  General  Taylor  and  died  December  9,  1847. 

4  Collinson  R.  Gates,  grandson  of  Lemuel  Gates,  an  officer  in  the  Revolution,  was  born  in  New  York  in  1816,  was  gradu 
ated  from  the    Military  Academy  in  1836,  and  became  first  lieutenant  in  1838.     He  saw  almost  constant  service  and   received  the 
brevet  of  captain   May  9,  1846,  for  gallantry  at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma.     He  was  advanced  to  the  full  rank  of  captain 
within  a  month,  received  the  brevet  of  major  for  gallant  conduct  at  Molino  del  Rey,  and  died  in  Fredericksburg,  Texas,  June  28, 
1849. 

5  Charles  D.  Jordan  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1842,  became  second  lieuten 
ant  in  1844,  and  received  the  brevet  of  first  lieutenant  for  gallantry  at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma.     He  reached  his  major 
ity  in  1862,  retired  in  1863,  and  died  January  5,  1876. 

6  Joseph   Selden  was  born  in  Virginia  and  became  second  lieutenant  of  the  Eighth  Infantry  in  1838  and  first  lieutenant  in 
1841.     He  distinguished   himself  at  Resaca  de  la   Palma,  Contreras,  Churubusco,  and  Chapultepec,   and   received  the   brevets  of 
captain  and  major.     He  resigned  from  the  army  in  1861. 

7  John  G.  Burbank  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1841,  became  first  lieutenant 
December  31,  1845,  and  died  September  10,  1847,  of  wounds  received  in  the  battle  of  Molino  del  Rey. 

8  For  non-commissioned  officers. 

9  Jacob  Brown  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1788  and  in  1812  joined  the  army  as  a  private.     He  slowly  advanced  through 
all  the  grades  till  he  became  major  of  the  Seventh  Infantry  on  February  27,  1843.     General  Taylor  and  his  troops  reached  Point 
Isabel  from  Corpus  Christ!  March  24,  1846,  and  immediately  marched  up  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  camping  opposite  Mata- 
moros,  one  of  the  largest  cities  of  Northern  Mexico,  named  for  Mariano  Matamoros,  a  Mexican  patriot  who  died  in  1814.     Here  a 
fort  was  constructed  by  General  Taylor's  order  large  enough  to  receive  his  entire  army.     The  Mexicans  began  crossing  the  river 
and  it  was  necessary  for  Taylor  to  fall  back  to  protect  his  base  of  supplies  at  Point  Isabel  on  the  coast.     About  five  hundred  men, 
including  inetfectives,  were  left  in  the  fort  under  command  of  Major  Brown.     The  armament  was  of  four  eighteen  pounders,  and 
a  field  bauery  of  four  light  sixes.     The  Mexicans  bombarded  the  fort  for  four  days  and  nights  but  the  Americans  held  bravely  on. 
After  strengthening  his  base  of  supplies  and  leaving  a  garrison  there,  Taylor  returned  and  on  May  8th  and  gth  fought  the  battles 
of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  driving  the  Mexicans  across  the  river  and  relieving  the  fort.     Major  Brown  died  on  May  gth 
from  wounds  received  on  the  6th  and  the  fort  was  named  in  his  honor. 

10  John  B.  Wells  was  born  in  Maryland  and  was  appointed  from  Georgia  an  assistant  surgeon  February  I,  1834.     He  became 
major  surgeon  October  24,  1846,  and  died  July  24,  1853. 

11  Probably  meaning  John  Munroe.    He  was  born  in  Scotland  about  1796  and  died  in  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  April  26,  1861. 
He  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1814  and  advanced  steadily  from  third  lieutenant  to  major  of  the  Second  Artillery, 
August   18,  1846.      In  July  of  that  year  he  was  chief  of  artillery  to  General  Taylor.     He  was  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel  for 
gallantry  at  Monterey  and  colonel  for  Buena  Vista.     He  was  military  and  civil  governor  of  New  Mexico,  1849-1850. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


Matamoros  Mexico  May  19th  1846 
My  dear  Dr, 

Your  highly  esteemed  letter  of  the  iyth  &  1 8th  ins1  came  to  hand 
last  night,  &  truly  thank  you  for  the  information  &  good  wishes  therein 
contained,  the  latter  I  know  being  sincere  &  disinterested  &  of  course 
was  duly  appreciated —  I  left  Point  Isabel  on  my  return  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  13th  &  reached  here,  on  the  other  side,  on  the  same  evening 
but  was  during  the  night  quite  unwell,  with  considerable  fever,  which 
compelled  me  to  keep  my  tent  the  14th.  On  the  15th  my  fever  having 
left  me,  I  at  once  commenced  making  preparation  for  crossing,1  both 
armies  having  remained  quiet  up  to  that  time.  On  the  morning  of  the 
1 7th,  returning  from  examining  the  several  places  for  crossing  the  river 
recommended  by  the  Engineers,  I  recd  by  a  flag  a  communication  from 
Gen1  Arista2  by  a  gen1  officer,  proposals  for  an  armistice  ;  &  if  that  was 
not  acceded  to,  that  said  officer  was  authorized  to  enter  into  any  arrange 
ments  we  might  agree  on  to  put  a  stop  to  hostilities ;  I  at  once  informed 
him  that  the  war  must  be  carried  on,  that  they  had  commenced  it,  &  I 
could  not  put  a  stop  to  it,  without  orders  from  my  gov',  but  that,  if  he 
would  deliver  up  all  all  the  public  property  here  he  might  withdraw  with 
out  interruption  their  troops  from  Matamoros  including  his  sick  and 
wounded,  he  then  made  some  proposition  for  me  not  to  occupy  Mata 
moros  or  to  cross  the  Rio  Grande,  that  many  of  their  wounded  could 
not  be  removed ;  I  stated  that  we  never  made  war  on  the  sick,  wounded, 
or  woman  or  children,  but  that  I  would  cross  the  river  the  next  day,  & 
if  the  town  made  any  resistance  would  destroy  it,  which  I  was  then  pre 
pared  to  do,  as  our  morters  had  that  moment  arrived  ;  he  then  said  he 
would  report  my  wishes  to  Gen1  Arrista,  &  let  me  know  his  determina 
tion  before  sun  down  ;  at  the  same  time  my  preparations  were  actively 
going  on  for  crossing ;  not  having  heard  from  Arista,  we  commenced 
crossing  at  day  light,  but  soon  learned  that  Arista  with  his  whole  force 
consisting  of  some  four  thousand  men,  had  abandoned  the  town  during 


I     The  Rio  Grande. 


2  Mariano  Arista,  a  Mexican  general,  commanded  at  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  May  8th  and  9th, 
1846,  having  succeeded  General  Pedro  de  Ampudia  at  Matamoros  in  the  previous  April.  He  was  born  in  the  state  of  San  Luis 
Potosi,  July  2,6,  1802,  and  died  on  the  English  steamer  Tagus  on  his  way  from  Lisbon  to  France,  August  7,  1855.  He  was  elected 
president  of  Mexico  in  1850  but  resigned  in  1853  and  was  soon  banished. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

the  night  leaving  the  sick  &  wounded  to  our  mercy,  having  previously 
sent  off  his  baggage  &  most  of  his  artillery  beyond  our  reach,  throwing 
the  balance  in  the  river,  with  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition  ;  soon  after 
which  a  deputation  from  the  civil  authorities  waited  on  me  to  offer  terms, 
or  to  know  intentions —  I  informed  them  that  I  would  not  hear  any 
terms  on  their  part,  that  I  would  take  possession  of  their  city  which  I 
did  the  same  day,  but  would  respect  persons  &  private  property,  & 
permit  their  civil  laws  to  go  on  as  usual,  at  any  rate  for  the  present ;  so 
that  we  are  all  now  encamped  on  the  enemies  soil  without  firing  a  gun — 
We  lost  however  a  fine  young  officer  Ll  Stephens1  of  the  Dragoons  who 
was  unfortunately  drowned  in  crossing  the  river — 

I  much  fear  so  many  volunteers  will  come  we  will  hardly  find  any 
thing  for  them  to  do  ;  the  enemies  principal  posissions  are  so  far  off,  with 
deserts  intervening  that  it  will  be  I  fear  impossible  to  reach  them  for  want 
of  transportation.  I  truly  regret  to  see  they  are  organizing  a  compy  of 
Taylor  guards  &c  in  N.  Orleans  as  I  have  a  great  horor  of  being  made  a 
lion  of —  I  was  pleased  to  hear  of  the  arrival  of  Gen1  Smith2  as  he  will 
afford  me  efficient  aid,  should  we  have  anything  to  do —  Whether  we 
shall  be  ordered  to  carry  the  war  into  the  heart  of  the  country,  or  confine 
our  operation  to  the  banks  of  the  Rio  Grande,  time  must  determine- 
As  to  myself  I  heartily  wish  the  war  was  at  an  end —  Capf  Taylors  case 
will  be  favorably  considered  if  he  has  left  in  the  Alabama,  or  should  do 
so  in  any  other  vessel.  I  think  you  done  right  in  drawing  your  pay  & 
investing  it  in  Ohio  stock  which  is  I  make  no  doubt  a  safe  investment — 
I  recd  Cassess  speech  on  the  Oregon  question  &  am  glad  you  opened 
it ;  it  is  no  doubt  a  very  able  production  or  view  of  the  question,  but  I 
shall  hardly  read  it —  I  also  recd  Senator  Ashley^-  speech  on  the  same 
subject  but  shall  hardly  read  it  likewise  ;  I  have  no  opinion  of  the 

1  George  Stevens  was  born  in  Vermont  and  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1843.     At  the  time  of  his  death  he 
was  second  lieutenant  of  the  Second  Dragoons. 

2  Persifor  Frazer  Smith  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in  November,  1798,  and  died   in  Fort   Leavenworth,  Kan.,  May  17,  1858. 
He  was  graduated  from  Princeton  in  1815  and  settled  in  New  Orleans.     He  served  in  the  Florida  war  and  in  May,  1846,  became 
colonel  of  a  rifle  regiment.     He  was  appointed  brigadier-general  of  Louisiana  volunteers  in   the  same  month.     He   received  the 
brevets  of  brigadier-general  and  major-general  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  the  war  with  Mexico. 

3  Lewis  Cass  was  born  at  Exeter,  N.  H.,  October  9,  1782,  and  died  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  June  17,  1866.     He  was  governor  of 
Michigan  territory  from  1813  to  '831  ;  he  was  secretary  of  war  from  1831  to  1836,  minister  to  France  from  1836  to  1841,  and  sena 
tor  from  Michigan  from  December  1, 1845,  to  May  29,  1848,  when  he  resigned  to  run  for  the  presidency  on  the  democratic  ticket. 
He  was  defeated  by  General  Taylor,  the  whig  candidate,  and  was  re-elected  to  the  senate,  serving  till  March  3,  1857,  when   he 
became  secretary  of  state  in  the  cabinet  of  President  Buchanan. 

4  Chester  Ashley  was  born  at  Westfield,  Mass.,  June  I,  1790,  and  died  in  the  city  of  Washington  April  29,  1848.     He  was  a 
lawyer  by  profession,  removed  to  Arkansas  in  1819,  and  in  1844  and  again  in  1846  was  elected  as  a  democrat  to  the  senate  of  the 
United  States. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

honesty  or  patriotism  of  either —  My  health  if  not  entirely  restored  is 
in  a  fair  way  to  become  so,  being  much  better  to-day  than  it  has  been  for 
several  days  past ;  I  only  need  a  few  days  rest  &  quiet  for  it  to  be  per 
fectly  re-established —  My  regards  to  Major  Munroe  &  the  gentlemen 
of  your  profession,  as  well  as  other  inquiring  friends —  I  regretted  to 
hear  your  own,  as  well  as  the  health  of  Dr  Russell1  was  not  good,  but 
truly  hope  this  will  find  you  both  on  the  mend,  if  not  entirely  restored. 

Yours  Truly  &  Sincerely 

Z.  TAYLOR 
D"  R.  C.  WOOD, 

U.  S.  Army 
Fort  Polk 


Matamoros  Mexico 

June  3d  1846 
Dr  Doctor, 

Your  acceptable  letters  of  the  29th  ult°  &  first  ins'  were  duly  recd.  I 
was  satisfied  from  the  late  hour  you  fairly  got  under  way  for  Point  Isabell 
the  day  you  left  here  for  that  place,  in  addition  to  the  heat  of  the  weather 
that  you  would  be  late  in  getting  down,  &  as  a  matter  of  course  would 
have  an  unpleasant  and  fatiguing  trip  ;  but  it  appears  you  all  got  down 
safe,  &  a  few  days  rest  and  quiet  I  trust  will  make  all  right  or  as  it 
should  be — 

The  trip  to  Detroit  I  apprehend  would  be  too  great  an  undertaking 
for  Mrs  Taylor  in  her  feeble  state  of  health,  or  at  any  rate  I  am  confi 
dent  she  would  think  so,  I  will  however  in  my  next  letter  mention  the 
matter  to  her  so  as  to  enable  her  to  make  up  her  mind  on  the  same — 

I  felt  satisfied  Gen1  Brady1  would  decidedly  disapprove  Cap1  Thomp- 


1  James  W.  Russell  was  born  in  New  York  and  was  appointed  an  assistant  surgeon  in  the  army  June  12,  1839,  and  resigned 
March  i,  185}. 

2  Hugh   Brady  was  born  in   Northumberland  county,  Pa.,  in  July,  1768,  and  died  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  April  15,  1851.     He 
entered  the  army  as  an  ensign  in  1792  and  served  in  the  Western  expedition  under  General  Wayne.     He  was  advanced  slowly  to 
colonel  and  at  the  battle  of  Chippewa,  July  6,  1812,  led  the  Twenty-second  Infantry  and  displayed  the  greatest  bravery.     He 
also  distinguished  himself  at  the  battles  of  Lundy's  Lane  and  Niagara  and  was  wounded  in  each  of  these  engagements.     For  these 
services  he   received  the  brevet  of  brigadier-general  and  on   May  30,  1848,  received  that  of  major-general  for  long  and  faithful 
service. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

son's1  resigning  at  the  time  he  did,  &  I  regretted  it  on  the  Genl8  ace1.  As 
Worth2  was  a  particular  favorite  with  the  old  Gen1  I  make  no  doubt  he 
was  mortified  at  his  course  &  did  not  hesitate  to  condemn  it  in  strong 

terms —     I  regret  on  his  W own  ace1  his   course  at  the  Point  which 

was  caused  I  have  no  doubt  by  excitement  from  the  effects  of  wine  ;  it 
seems  to  me  under  the  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed,  &  that  by 
his  own  willfulness,  his  course  and  bearing  should  have  been  on  all  occa 
sions  marked  by  great  modesty  ;  and  which  has  been  the  case  since  he 
got  here  ;  but  the  fact  is  between  ourselves,  he  has  been  pampered  and 
bloated  for  things  he  never  done,  or  acts  he  never  performed,  but  from 
assumption,  &  getting  others  to  state  occurrencies  the  truth  of  which  may 
be  very  well  called  in  question,  if  stronger  language  could  not  be  properly 
applied,  and  his  flourish  among  the  wounded  was  in  keeping  with  many 
other  of  his  acts,  all  for  effect ;  his  situation  at  the  time  causing  him  to 
forget  or  overlook  other  important  considerations.  There  are  few  if  any 
officer  or  officers  in  service,  who  require  more  to  make  from  the  private 
soldier  to  make  himself  comfortable,  or  who  would  put  himself  to  less 
inconvenience  for  their  benefit  in  sickness  or  health,  wounded  or  other 
wise  than  Gen1  W — flies  or  no  flies — yet  you  ought  not  to  have  taken 
any  notice  of  the  matter,  unless  he  had  called  your  official  conduct 
directly  in  question —  He  has  not  alluded  to  the  subject  directly  or  indi 
rectly  since  his  return  to  this  place  ;  at  any  rate  so  as  to  come  to  my 
knowledge — 

The  report  as  regards  any  contemplated  movement  on  the  part  of 
Gen1  Smith,  is  entirely  without  foundation —  I  contemplate  sending  the 
four  compsin  a  few  days  of  the  first  Infy.  to  Rinoso  fifty  miles  in  advance, 
or  higher  up  the  river —  Transportation  is  very  scarce  rendered  more  so 


1  James  L.  Thompson  was  born  in   Tennessee,  was  graduated   from  the    Military   Academy   in   i8z8,  and  was   advanced 
to  captain  March  I,  1840.     He  resigned  from  the  army  May  18,  1846,  and  was  drowned  June  21,  1851. 

2  William  Jenkins  Worth  was  born  in   Hudson,  N.  Y.,  March  I,  1794,  and  died  in  San  Antonio,  Texas,  May  7,  1849.     At 
the  outbreak  of  the  War  of  1812  he  was  a  clerk  at  Albany  and  applying  for  a  position  in  the  army  was  appointed  first  lieutenant 
in  the  Twenty -third  Infantry.     He  served  as  aide  to  General  Scott,  was  promoted  to  captain  in  1814,  and  distinguished  himself  so 
greatly  at  the  battle  of  Niagara  as  to  receive  the  thanks  of  congress  and  promotion  to  the  rank  of  major.     In  1838  he  became 
colonel  and  was  active  in  the  Florida  war.     He  was  second  in  command  to  General  Taylor  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Mexican  war, 
leading  the  van  of  his  army,  and  was  the  first  to  plant  with  his  own  hand  the  flag  of  the  United  States  on  the  Rio  Grande.    Under 
Taylor  he  conducted  the  negotiations  for  the  surrender  of  Matamoros,  and  by  him  was  entrusted  with  the  assault  on  the  Bishop's 
palace  at  Monterey,  during  which  he  conducted  himself  with  great  bravery.     He  was  subsequently  ordered  to  the  Gulf  coast  to 
join  General  Scott  and  took  part  in  all  the  battles  from  Vera  Cruz  to  Mexico.     He  was  the  first  to  enter  the  City  of  Mexico  and 
with  his  own  hand  cut  down  the  Mexican  flag  that  waved  over  the  National  palace.     After  the  war  he  was  placed  in  command  of 
the  Department  of  Texas  and  died  of  cholera.     He  was  said  to  be  the  handsomest  man  and  the  best  horseman  in  the  army.     He 
received  swords  from  congress,  the  states  of  New  York  and   Louisiana,  and  his  native  county,  Columbia,  and  a  monument  was 
erected  to  his  memory  in  the  city  of  New  York. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

by  the  destruction  of  so  many  vessels  by  the  late  storm —  I  truly  regret 
the  inconvenience  &  sufferings  the  sick  and  wounded  were  subjected  to 
by  the  late  storm —  I  will  direct  the  Long  to  be  fitted  up  for  a 
Hospital — 

I  did  not  get  the  scrape  of  a  pen  by  the  Alabama  from  Washington 
or  any  where  else  which  induces  me  to  believe  that  Gen.  Scott1  is  on  his 
way  here,  which  I  sincerely  hope  may  be  the  case —  Mr.  Crittends2 
course  in  the  Senate  was  truly  gratifying,  and  more  so  as  I  fulfilled  his 
high  expectations  to  the  letter — 

I  was  delighted  to  learn  all  was  as  well  as  usual  at  Detroit,  give  my 
love  to  them  all  when  you  write —  I  recd  letters  from  B.  Rouge  dated 
the  1 8th  they  had  heard  of  the  affairs  of  the  8th  &  9th,  all  were  well. 
Nothing  of  interest  here.  The  volunteers  are  getting  quite  impatient ; 


1  Winfield  Scott  was  born  in  Dinwiddie  county,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  13,  1786,  and  died  at  West  Point,  N.  Y.,  May 
2g,  1866.     He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1806  and  in  1808  joined  the  army  as  a  captain  of  light  artillery.     In  July,  1812,  he  was 
made  lieutenant-colonel  and  ordered  to  the   Canada  frontier,  where  he  greatly  distinguished   himself.     In  1813  he  was  made  a 
colonel  and  in  1814  a  brigadier-general.     In  July,  1814,  he  crossed  the  Niagara  river,  captured  Fort  Erie,  and  fought  the  battles  of 
Chippewa  and   Lundy's  Lane.     In  the  latter  battle  two  horses  were  shot  under  him  and  he  was  twice  severely  wounded.     He 
received  the  brevet  of  major-general  and  congress  gave  him  a  vote  of  thanks  and  a  gold  medal  for  his  services.     After  the  War  of 
1812  General   Scott  served  on  the  Western  frontier  and   in  Florida.     He  was  promoted  major-general  June  25,  1841,  and  on  July 
5th,  upon  the  death  of  Major-General  Alexander  Macomb,  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  army.     After  General  Taylor  had 
won  his  great  victories  along  the   Rio  Grande,  General  Scott  decided  to  take  the  field  in  person.     He  was  very  ambitious  politi 
cally,  and  no  doubt  was  intensely  jealous  of  Taylor's  growing  popularity.     He  took  a  large  part  of  Taylor's  army  away  from  him, 
thus  compelling  him  to  act  on  the  defensive  during  the  rest  of  the  war,  for  if  there  was  any  more  glory  to  be  won  Scott  wanted  it 
for  himself.     With  part  of  Taylor's   army  and  fresh  troops  from  the  United  States,  mostly  regulars,  General  Scott  assembled  his 
forces  at  Lobos  Island,  planning  his  campaign  against  the  capital  of  Mexico  from  Vera  Cruz,  up  the  steppes  and  against  strong 
fortifications  built  to  resist  invasion,  instead  of  adopting  the  route  that  Taylor  would  have  followed,  making  the  attack  from  Saltillo 
across  the  plains,  where  practically  no  defences  had  been  constructed.     On  March  9,  1847,  General  Scott  invested  Vera  Cruz  with 
an  army  of  io,oco.     It  was  deemed  impregnable  by  the  Mexicans  but  it  was  heavily  bombarded  and  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz  and  the 
castle  of  San  Juan  d'Ulloa  fell  on  March  19,1847.     Subsequently  congress  passed  a  resolution  of  thanks  and  ordered  a  gold  medal 
commemorating  this  and  other  victories  and  General  Scott  was  brevetted  a  lieutenant-general.     Proceeding  inland  General  Scott 
met  the  army  of  Santa-Anna  on  April  i7th.     The  Mexican  general  had  a  force  of  iz,ooo,  his  army  occupying  the  strong  mountain 
pass  of  Cerro-Gordo.     On  the  following   morning  the  Americans  attacked  and  won   a  brilliant  victory.     The  capture  of  Jalapa, 
Perote,  and  Puebla  quickly  followed.     Delayed  because  his  fresh  troops  were  undisciplined  and  uninstructed,  Scott  did  not  resume 
his  march  on  the  national  capital  till  August.     He  attacked  and  carried  Contreras  and  Churubusco  on  August  igth  and  2Oth  and 
could  have  captured  the  capital  then,  but  an  armistice  was  agreed  on  to  allow  negotiations  for  peace.     When  these  were  broken 
off  military  operations  were  resumed  and  Molino  del  Key  was  captured  on  September  8th.     On  the    nth  and  I3th  Chapultepec 
was  stormed  and  captured,  and  on  the   morning  of  the  I4th  the  American  army,  now  reduced  from  lo,coo  men  to  6,500,  marched 
into  the  City  of  Mexico  and  occupied  the  National  palace.     The  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  February  2,  1848,  and  soon  thereafter 
Mexico  was  evacuated  by  our  troops.     In  the  following  June  Scott  was  a   candidate  for  the  whig  nomination  for  president  of  the 
United  States,  at  the  convention  in  Philadelphia,  but  was  defeated  on  the  fourth  ballot  by  General  Taylor,  who  triumphed  also 
over  Henry  Clay  and  Daniel  Webster,  and  was  elected  over  Lewis  Cass,  the  democratic  candidate.     In  1852  General  Scott  was 
nominated  by  the  whigs  and  was  defeated  at  the  polls  by  the  democratic  candidate,  Franklin  Pierce,  General  Scott  carrying  only 
the  states  of  Vermont,  Massachusetts,  Kentucky,  and  Tennessee.       Age  and   infirmity  prevented   him  from   taking  an  active  part 
in  the  Civil  war  and  on   November  I,  1861,  he   retired  from  the  army,  retaining  his  rank,  pay  and  allowances.     He  was  buried  at 
West  Point,  where  he  had  passed  the  last  five  years  of  his  life. 

2  John   J.  Crittenden  was  born  in  Woodford  county,  Ky.,  September  10,  1787,  and  died  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  July  26,  1863.   He 
served  in  the  war  of  1812,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  was  elected  to  the  state  legislature,  and  served  in  the  senate  of  the  United 
States  from  1817  to  1819,  from  1835  to  1841,  from  1842  to  1848,  and  from  1855  to  1861.     In  the  meantime  he  had  served  twice  as 
attorney-general  of  the  United  States  and  one  term  as  governor  of  his  native  state.     News  of  the  clash  of  arms  on  the  Rio  Grande 
reached  Washington  May  9,  1846,  and  on  the  I2th  an  act  "  providing  for  the  prosecution  of  the  existing  war  between  the  United 
States  and  the   Republic  of  Mexico  "  was  passed   by  the  senate.     During  the  debate  Senator  Crittenden  said  that  he  "  had  great 
confidence  in  the  officer  commanding  the  forces  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  was  pretty  confident  that,  in  eight  and  forty  hours  after  the 
date  of  last  advices,  it  would  be  found  that  the  general  commanding  had  whipped  the  Mexicans,  driven  them  across  the  river,  and 
was  in  the  town  of  Matamoros."     It  is  to  this  expression  of  confidence  that  General  Taylor  refers  with  gratitude. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

they  want  either  to  be  led  against  the  enemy  or  to  go  home.      I  have  no 
time  to  write  more. 

Your  Friend 

Truly  &  sincerely, 

Z.  TAYLOR 
DK  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

Point  Isabel  Texas 

Capc  Bloss  recd  his  box  of  clothing  by  the  last  train  brought  out  I 
believe  by  the  Alabama. 


Head  Qrs  Army  of  Occupation  or  Invasion 
Matamoros   Mexico  June  12th  1846 
Dear  Doctor, 

Your  communication  of  the  ioth  insf  on  the  subject  of  Dr  Hawkin's1 
course  in  regard  to  the  sick  &  wounded  sent  to  &  left  at  Sc  Josephs 
Island  was  recd  &  has  been  duly  considered ;  I  need  not  say  the  course 
pursued  by  Dr  H.  highly  objectionable  and  improper,  and  orders  will  be 
given  to  prevent  its  occurrence  I  trust  for  the  time  to  come — 

Your  esteemed  letter  of  the  8th  was  duly  recd  and  I  was  very  much 
gratified  to  hear  those  brave  fellows  in  whom  I  take  the  most  lively  &  I 
may  say  deepest  interest  were  generally  on  the  mend — 

I  observe  you  complain  of  the  annoyance  of  the  Volunteers,  they 
are  trifling  to  what  I  have  to  undergo  &  submit  to,  but  which  I  will  try 
&  get  through  in  the  best  way  I  can  &  with  at  least  all  the  good  feelings 
&  temper  I  can  command  even  should  they  drive  me  out  of  my  tent  ; 
but  I  hope  all  those  who  arrived  some  time  since  have  got  over  to  the 
Boreta2  &  will  be  sent  there  from  the  Brasos^  depot  as  fast  as  they  arrive 
there,  without  coming  to  Fort  Polk —  You  know  my  opinion  of  sutlers 
&  therefore  hardly  need  expatiate  on  their  merits  or  demerits ;  their 


I     Hamilton  S.  Hawkins  was  born  in  Maryland  and  was  appointed  an  assistant  surgeon  in  the  army  November  zz,  1824.     He 
became  a  major  surgeon  July  4,  1836,  and  died  August  7,  1847. 

l     For  Barita,  a  village  twenty  miles  below  Matamoros  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande. 
3     For  Brazos  Santiago, 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

object  is  to  make  money  regardless  of  consequences —  I  truly  and  sin 
cerely  thank  you  for  your  congratulation  on  the  flattering  manner  the 
country  has  approbated  my  late  conduct  as  connected  with  the  recent  suc 
cess  of  our  arms,  far  beyond  what  I  expected,  and  no  doubt  in  the 
opinion  of  many  very  far  beyond  what  it  deserved  ;  at  any  rate  I  can 
truly  say  I  feel  not  only  truly  gratified  but  greatly  honored  by  the  same  ; 
I  would  feel  doubly  so  could  I  have  any  surety  it  would  have  the  effect  in 
the  remotest  degree  to  prompt  my  descendants  to  tread  the  path  of  honor 
by  pursuing  a  bold,  manly,  and  honest  course  in  all  the  relations  and 
situatis  of  life,  which  I  sincerely  hope  will  be  the  case ;  Dick1  was  to  have 
come  out  in  the  Galveston  &  I  wrote  home  that  he  had  reached  Point 
Isabel,  having  been  so  informed  ;  but  afterwards  learned  he  had  or  would 
come  out  in  the  N.  York,  by  which  vessel  I  recd  a  letter  from  Judge 
Butler  that  when  those  vessels  left  N.  Orleans  where  he  the  Judge  then 
was,  that  he  was  quite  unwell,  so  much  so,  that  he  had  advised  him  to 
consult  Dr  McGormick  whether  situated  as  he  was,  he  had  not  better 
return  to  Baton  Rouge  ;  since  when  I  have  understood  he  would  come 
out  in  the  Allabama,  &  Dr  Mc  would  come  out  with  him,  as  a  looker  on  ; 
so  I  do  not  now  know  whether  to  expect  him  or  not ;  but  hope  if  his  health 
is  at  all  precarious  or  doubtful,  he  will  not  attempt  to  come,  as  it  is  no 
place  for  any  one  in  poor  health,  much  less  one  who  is  quite  sick — 

I  recd  a  letter  from  Gen1  Scott  saying  he  had  been  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  troops  to  invade  Mexico,  but  that  he  did  not  expect  to 
join  immediately,  in  the  meantime  I  would  go  on  with  my  operations  as 
I  thought  most  to  the  interest  of  the  public  service  ;  that  no  gen1  plan  of 
opperations  had  been  determined,  &c —  It  is  strange  passing  strange 
that  I  have  heard  nothing  from  Washing2  since  my  official  report  of  the 
battles  of  the  8th  &  9th  reached  there,  which  I  have  seen  published  in 
in  the  National  Intelligencer  &  Union,  the  receipt  of  them  have  not 
been  acknowledged —  Something  is  going  on  at  gen1  hd  quarters  in 
regard  to  this  matter  that  we  are  not  aware  of —  A  report  has  reached 
here  that  after  my  reports  reached  Washington,  the  Southern  &  Western 
members  waited  on  the  President  &  protested  against  my  being  super- 


1  Richard  Taylor,  the  General's  son. 

2  For  Washington. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

seded  in  my  present  command  by  any  one  which  he  assured  them  should 
not  be  done  ;  if  so  I  very  much  regret  it,  as  I  consider  this  command 
properly  his,  &  I  have  no  wish  to  prevent  his  exercising  it,  but  much 
rather  he  would  do  so  than  otherwis — 

A  committee  reached  here  appd  by  the  Louisiana  legislature  to  ten 
der  to  me  &  the  officers  &  soldiers  of  the  army  under  my  command  the 
thanks  of  that  body  for  the  manner  we  had  discharged  our  duty  &  sus 
tained  the  honor  &  character  of  the  American  armies  in  the  two  recent 
engagements  with  the  enemy  ;  they  are  a  high  set  of  gentlemen  some  of 
them  have  been  on  a  frolic  pretty  much  ever  since  they  have  been  here  ; 
I  understand  they  will  leave  tomorrow,  or  perhaps  a  portion  of  them 
to-day — 

I  found  one  letter  from  Detroit  in  the  postoffice  for  you,  with  several 
n.  papers1  which  I  sent  down  by  Capt.  May2  yesterday  evening  to  his 
camp,  &  who  has  promised  to  forward  them  to  Fort  Polk  in  the 
morning — 

We  have  nothing  new  or  of  interest  here,  things  going  on  about  as 
usual ;  the  steamboat  Cincinnati  is  in  sight  I  suppose  loaded  with  pro 
visions,  but  we  shall  not  be  able  to  move  from  here  until  two  or  three  of 
the  steamboats  sent  for  to  N.  Orleans  arrive,  when  that  will  be  god  only 
knows —  My  respects  Munroe  &  the  gentlemen  of  the  medical  Staff — 

With  great  respect  and  esteem 

Your  Friend 

Truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD, 

U.  S.  A  Fort  Polk  Texas 


1  Newspapers. 

2  Charles  Augustus   May  was  one  of  the  greatest  fighters  in  the  army.     He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Washington  August  9, 
1817,  and  died  in  the  city  of  New  York  December  24, 1864.     He  entered' the  army  in  1836  as  second  lieutenant  in  the  Second 
Dragoons  and  did  efficient  service  in  the  Seminole  war,  and  captured  and  brought  into  camp  as  a  prisoner,  King  Philip,  the  principal 
chief  of  that  nation.     He  was  promoted   captain  in  1846  and  served  under  General  Taylor  as  his  chief  of  cavalry  throughout  the 
Mexican   war,  commanding  the  cavalry  at  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Monterey  and  Buena  Vista,  receiving  in 
recognition  of  his  services  brevets  of  major,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  colonel.     At  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma  he  turned  the 
fortunes  of  the  day  by  charging  a  battery  that  was  intrenched  and  protected  by  an  earthen   breastwork  that  commanded  the  only 
road  through  the  almost  impenetrable  chaparral  on  either  side,  and  captured  General  La  Vega,  who  commanded  the  battery.    May 
resigned  from  the  army  April  io,  1861,  and  went  into  business  in  New  York  city. 

10 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


Metamoros  Mexico 

June  2ist  1846 
My  Dear  Doctor, 

Your  highly  acceptable  &  interesting  letter  of  the  i8th  ins*  was  duly 
recd  for  which  I  tender  you  my  best  thanks.  I  was  pleased  to  learn  the 
wounded  officers  were  on  the  mend  &  hope  they  will  not  only  be  able,  but 
will  very  soon  leave  for  their  homes  or  friends  in  the  North  or  elsewhere. 
At  the  same  time  I  deeply  regretted  to  hear  the  other  wounded,  the  n. 
comd  officers  &  privates  were  not  doing  so  well,  &  that  some  of  them 
had  died,  no  doubt  owing  in  part  to  the  effects  of  the  dreadful  storm  you 
had  soon  after  you  returned,  which  prostrated  your  tents,  and  perhaps 
other  covering  which  must  have  exposed  them  all  to  its  violence,  at  any 
rate  must  have  wet  them  through  through  as  far  as  it  could  be  done, 
besides  doing  them  other  serious  injury  ;  but  I  trust  you  have  since 
been  able  to  make  them  as  comfortable  as  circumstances  would  admit  of, 
&  I  feel  satis  you  will  do  all  in  your  power  to  restore  them  to  health,  as 
soon  as  it  can  be  done  ;  I  am  sorry  for  want  of  hands  that  nothing  has 
been  done  towards  fitting  up  the  Long  for  a  hospital,  as  I  had  supposed 
she  was  far  on  the  way  towards  completion;  but  in  this  I  fear  I  have 
been  mistaken —  I  regretted  to  hear  that  you  &  Russell  were  both 
complaining  ;  alth°  not  dangerous  as  far  as  you  were  concerned,  yet  your 
disease  or  complaint  must  have  been  painful  as  well  as  inconvenient ;  but 
it  is  to  be  hoped  you  both  if  not  entirely  recovered  are  in  a  fair  way  to 
become  so —  On  the  subject  of  your  family  I  fully  agree  with  you,  that 
you  ought  to  join  them  in  time  to  remove  &  locate  them  at  some 
more  eligible  place  than  Detroit  before  the  navigation  closes  in  the  fall, 
let  the  consequences  be  what  they  might,  if  your  life  was  spared,  & 
what  is  of  more  consequence  than  their  removal  is  the  situation  of  the 
boys  who  as  Ann  says  very  correctly,  require  your  personal  attention  at 
any  rate  so  far  as  to  have  them,  particularly  John  placed  at  once  or  sent 
to  college,  or  put  to  some  kind  of  business  which  would  enable  him  if 
prudent,  industrious  &  persevering  to  make  his  way  through  life  ;  to 
raise  children  in  idleness,  is  one  of  the  greatest  blunders  ever  committed 
by  parents.  As  to  your  little  means  they  are  highly  important  to  you, 
but  not  so  much  so,  as  the  inculcating  proper  principles  in  all  the  mem- 

1 1 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

bers  of  your  family,  as  well  as  business  habits  in  the  boys,  so  that  they 
can  &  must  rely  on  their  own  exertions  for  their  standing  &  position  in 
life.  As  to  your  pecuniary  affairs,  your  brother  could  attend  to  them  as 
well  at  a  distance,  as  he  could  with  you  present ;  and  I  entertain  the 
opinion  that  your  papers  deposited  in  the  Detroit  bank  are  perfectly 
safe  ;  but  the  great  consideration  is  the  unpleasant  situation  as  regards 
residence  in  winter,  your  family  are  placed  in  &  one  great  consideration 
is  to  fix  on  some  plan  to  educate  them,  which  would  combine  health, 
good  society,  cheapness  of  living  &  good  schools  for  all  the  children  ;  of 
this  you  must  agree  on  after  you  &  Ann  meet —  I  shall  if  continued 
in  command  &  nothing  happens  more  than  common  to  prevent  it  will  give 
you  a  leave  for  60  days  in  time  to  enable  you  to  carry  out  the  objects 
under  discussion,  which  is  the  removal  of  your  family,  before  the  lakes  or 
rivers  are  covered  with  ice,  which  ought  to  be  put  off  as  long  as  could  be 
done  to  be  certain  of  that  object,  as  peace  with  Mexico  may  be  brought 
about  even  before  that  time,  otherwise  your  going  may  have  the  effect  of 
driving  you  from  the  service,  but  even  that  should  not  prevent  you  from 
going,  &  if  so  you  must  try  &  do  the  best  you  can  in  private  practice. 
You  need  expect  no  favors  from  the  head  of  your  dep1  or  those  who  con 
trol  it ;  they  have  committed  an  outrage  toward  you,  which  will  be  fol 
lowed  up  by  others  with  the  hope  of  driving  you  from  the  service  if  you 
if  you  give  them  the  slightest  cause  or  grounds  for  them  to  do  so.  To 
take  advantage  of  such  is  human  nature.  They  are  as  well  aware  of 
your  length  of  service  as  well  as  the  few  indulgencies  you  have  had,  as 
you  or  myself  are,  but  that  has  no  effect  in  the  atmospher  of  Washing 
ton.  The  more  one  does  the  more  they  expect  of  him,  and  his  services 
or  standing  is  estimated  by  political  consideration.  There  are  sinecures 
in  every  branch  of  the  service  &  in  none  more  than  yours  ;  Hammond's1 
position  at  Sl  Louis  is  not  dissimilary  to  many  others,  &  if  you  could 
have  had  the  prospect  of  getting  into  a  tolerable  decent  private  practice, 
of  which  you  ought  to  be  the  best  judge,  I  can  see  no  objection  to  your 
quitting.  It  is  now  considered  almost  disreputable  to  speak  or  allude  to 
one's  services.  I  must  say  that  I  deeply  regret  the  disponding  way  in 


I     William   Hammond  was  born  in  Maryland  and  was  appointed  an   assistant  surgeon  in  the   army  June  I,  1834,  became   a 
major  surgeon  August  7,  1847,  and  died  February  IJ,  1851. 

12 


LETTERS       OF      Z A C H A R Y       TAYLOR 

which  you  write  &  speak  as  well  as  feel  in  regard  to  your  situation,  & 
consider  resignation  preferable  to  giving  way  to  such  or  anything  of  the 
kind,  what  we  cant  remedy  should  be  met  &  borne  with  resignation,  forti 
tude  &  cheerfulness,  sighing  and  giving  way  to  grievances  or  misfortunes 
never  alleviated  or  corrected  them,  &  those  who  enter  the  public  service 
out  to  expect  to  perform  all  such  duties  as  are  required  of  them,  so  far  as 
are  connected  with  their  profession  or  engagements,  without  contrasting 
them  with  what  they  require  of  others — 

In  my  last  letters  I  mentioned  to  my  family  Anns1  wishes  for  her 
mother  &  Betty2  to  go  to  Detroit  &  make  her  a  visit,  as  well  as  to  spend 
a  few  months  there,  which  they  have  my  sanction  to  do  &  that  they  could 
go  all  the  way  by  water  through  the  Ohio  canal  &  by  the  lakes  ;  but  I 
apprehend  the  undertaking  will  be  too  great  for  Mrs  T.  to  attempt  it  in 
her  weak  health.  We  have  recd  no  mail  for  more  than  two  weeks,  the 
last  by  the  Alabama  which  vessel  I  do  not  expect  will  return  ;  something 
must  have  happened  to  prevent  crafts  of  some  description  or  other  reach 
ing  Fort  Polk.  Storms  or  orders  to  detain  them  at  N.  Orleans  to  bring 
out  Gen1  Scott  or  Co1  Whiting*  or  some  other  dignitary,  must  have 
occurred  to  prevent.  I  am  perfectly  disgusted  with  the  way  they  are 
going  on,  I  consider  there  is  an  entire  breakdown  in  the  Qr  M.  depart 
ment  every  where  ;  there  are  now  10,000  men  here  &  in  its  vicinity, 
waiting  &  a  portion  of  them  a  month  for  a  few  small  steam  boats  &  wag 
gons  to  carry  their  provisions  &c  toward  the  enemy,  which  have  been 
required  more  than  a  month,  time  enough  to  have  sent  to  Liverpool  for 
them,  wiout  having  heard  a  word  of  or  from  them,  up  to  the  present 
time.  Was  I  a  prominent  or  ambitious  aspirent  for  civil  distinction  or 
honors,  I  might  very  readily  suppose  there  was  an  intention  somewhere 
among  the  high  functionaries  to  break  me  down,  which  am  now  satisfied 
will  be  done  ;  whether  intended  or  not ;  as  the  large  force  now  under  my 
command  will  from  design  or  incompetency  of  others,  have  to  return 
to  their  homes  without  accomplishing  anything  commensurate  with  their 

1  Meaning  his  daughter  Ann,  wife  of  Surgeon  Wood  to  whom  these  letters  are  addressed. 

2  Meaning  his  daughter  Elizabeth. 

5  Henry  Whiting  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Mass.,  about  1790,  and  died  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  September  16,  1851.  He  entered  the 
army  as  a  cornet  of  light  dragoons  in  1808  and  was  steadily  advanced.  After  1835  he  served  exclusively  in  the  quartermaster's 
department.  On  July  6,  1846,  he  joined  Taylor's  army  as  chief  quartermaster.  He  received  the  brevet  of  brigadier-general  in 
1847  fr>r  gallantry  at  Buena  Vista.  In  1848  he  was  elected  a  regent  of  the  University  of  Michigan.  General  Whiting  was  a  poet 
and  a  writer  of  biography  and  history. 

'3 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

numbers,  the  responsibility  of  which  will  be  thrown  on  me  ;  the  question 
will  be  asked  why  did  the  troops  lay  idle,  &  why  did  they  not  march 
against  the  enemy  no  matter  where  he  was,  find,  fight  &  beat  him.  No 
matter  how  much  I  may  be  annoyed  &  vexed  at  the  unpleasant  situation 
in  which  I  find  myself  placed  by  the  conduct  of  others,  which  is  not  a 
little  vexatious  I  am  determined  not  to  let  it  throw  me  off  my  balance,  & 
as  long  as  I  am  satisfied  with  my  own  course  so  far  as  remaining  at  my 
post  &c  is  concerned  I  shall  be  content.  I  want  nothing  more  than  to 
see  this  campaign  finished  &  the  war  brought  to  a  speedy  and  honorable 
close,  &  then  to  be  permitted  to  be  quiet  the  balance  of  my  days. 

I  hope  Dick  returned  to  B.  Rouge,  &  if  indisposed  remained  with 
his  mother  until  entirely  recovered  when  he  can  join  me  or  not,  as  he 
may  think  best ;  this  is  no  place  for  him  if  he  was  unwell,  much  less  if 
seriously  indisposed.  The  best  way  to  manage  the  sutlers  is  to  be  posi 
tive  &  determined  with  them  ;  mild  or  half-way  measures  with  such 
people  will  have  no  effect ;  they  are  perfect  sharks. 

I  am  entirely  satisfied  the  days  of  the  Gen1  are  numbered  as  regards 
efficiency,  &  that  dep1  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  wicked  and  designing, 
who  are  irresponsible,  so  we  go — 

There  is  a  foolish  story  here,  that  Gen1  Scott,  &  the  President  has 
had  a  serious  misunderstanding,  growing  out  of  the  Genls  declining  to 
come  here,  as  it  would  interfere  with  his  prospects  &  necessary  steps  to 
enable  him  to  succeed  in  being  elected  president  in  1848.  That  a  misun 
derstanding  may  have  taken  place  between  those  high  functionaries  is 
quite  likely  but  the  cause  assigned  is  too  ridiculous  to  be  entertained  for  a 
moment.  They  need  have  no  apprehensions  of  being  interfered  with  by 
me  for  that  high  office,  which  I  would  decline  if  proffered  &  I  could 
reach  it  without  opposition. 

I  have  observed  with  some  regret  the  great  excitability  of  our  people 
on  subject  of  war  growing  out  of  recent  events  as  well  their  running  with 
individuals  for  achievements  against  the  enemy  in  battle,  which  are  some 
times  carried  too  far,  in  the  way  of  rewards,  but  more  frequently  after 
being  too  highly  lauded,  the  same  individual  who  was  but  yester  more 
than  a  hero,  is  to-morrow  the  variest  poltroon  &  wretch  imaginable. 

It  does  not   become  me  to   speak   of  the  affairs  of  the  8th  &  9th  of 


LETTERS       OF      Z A C H A R T       TAYLOR 

May1  in  comparison  with  other  important  battles  of  our  country,  but 
except  in  its  consequences  which  was  the  saving  of  N.  Orleans  I  do  not 
consider  that  of  the  8th  of  Janr?2  surpassed  if  it  equalled  them  &  that  of 
the  Thames3  was  trifling  when  compared  to  them  ;  but  I  must  leave  it  to 
others  to  draw  such  comparisons —  Judging  from  an  order  recently  pub 
lished  for  Gen1  Wool*  &  others  to  muster  into  service  the  12  months 
volunteers,  I  feel  satisfied  I  am  to  be  superseded  by  Gen1  Scott,  or  some 
one  else  but  be  it  by  whom  it  may,  I  shall  not  have  the  slightest  objec 
tion,  &  will  cheerfully  cooperate  &  take  the  orders  of  who  ever  it  may 
be,  until  early  in  November,  when  I  must  return  home  if  possible,  as  my 
private  affairs  imperiously  require  my  attention  at  that  time —  I 
neglected  in  my  last  letters  to  say  the  money  you  sent  by  Ll  Reynolds5 
was  duly  recd  &  I  much  fear  you  sent  too  large  an  am'  &  did  not  pay 
for  the  several  articles  you  procured  for  me  out  of  the  same — 

Mr  Eaton  &  Majr  Craig6  returned  last  night,  by  them  learn  that  all 
the  wounded  officers  with  the  exception  of  Co1  Mclntosh  had  left,  which 
must  be  a  great  relief  to  the  medical  officers.  Mr.  E.  or  the  mail  brought 


1  The  battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma. 

2  Referring  to  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  fought  January  8,  1815,  by  General  Jackson  for  the  Americans  and  Sir  Edward 
Packenham  for  the   British.     The  American  force  numbered  5,800  and  was  inditferently  armed  and  disciplined.     The    British 
force  of  10,000  was   composed  of  some   of  the  finest  soldiers   in  the  world,  most  of  them   being  veterans  of  the  Continental  cam 
paigns  of  Wellington.     The  Americans  were  intrenched  and  the  British  were  compelled  to  march  across  an  open  plain.     In  the 
conflict  2,600  were  lost  to  the  British,  of  whom  700  were  killed,  1,400  wounded,  and  500  taken  prisoners.    The  American  loss  was 
only  eight  killed  and  thirteen  wounded.     No  such  disparity  of  loss  is  to  be  found  in  any  other  battle. 

3  After  Perry's  victory  over  the   British  fleet  on  Lake  Erie,  September  10,  1813,  when  for  the  first  time  in  her  naval  history 
Great  Britain  lost  an   entire  squadron,  preparations  were   made  by  General  William   Henry  Harrison  for  an   invasion  of  Canada. 
Perry's   transports   took  his   men  to   Amherstburg,  where   it  was  found  that   Proctor's   army,  consisting  of  800   regulars  and  1,200 
Indians,  had   fled  inland.     Harrison   started  in   hot  pursuit  and   on   October  5th  3,000  men   under  his  command  fought   a  short  but 
decisive  battle  eight   miles  north  of  the  river  Thames,  the  British  and  Indians  being  completely  routed  while  Chief  Tecumseh  was 
killed.     The   precise  number   of  casualties  is   not   known.     The  American  loss  was    probably  fifteen  killed   and  thirty  wounded, 
while  the  British  loss  was  eighteen  killed,  twenty-six  wounded,  and  600  taken   prisoners,   of  whom  twenty-five  were  officers. 
Proctor  made  his  escape. 

4  John  Ellis  Wool  was  born   in  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  February  20,  1784,  and  died  in  Troy,  N.Y.,  November  10,  1869.     A  monu 
ment  seventy-five  feet  in  height  was  erected  to  his  memory  in  Troy,  with  an  inscription  by  William  Cullen  Bryant  :    "  This  stone 
is  erected  to  Major-General  John   Ellis  Wool,  the  gallant   soldier,  the  able  commander,  and  the  patriotic  citizen,  distinguished  in 
many  battles."     Wool  was  a  law  student  at  Troy  when  the  War  of  1812  broke  out.     He  raised  a  company  and  went  to  the  front 
as  a  captain  of  volunteers,  and  greatly  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Queenstown  Heights,  where  he  was  severely  wounded. 
He  became  a  major  in  1813  and  was  brevetted   lieutenant-colonel  in  1814.     In  1816  he  became  inspector-general  of  the  army  with 
the  rank  of  colonel.     After  varied  services  he  became  a  brigadier-general   June  25,  1841.     At  the  beginning  of  the  Mexican  war 
he  was  active  in  preparing  volunteers  and  in  less  than  six  weeks  despatched  to  the  seat  of  war  12,000  men,  fully  armed  and  equipped. 
He  bore  a  very  conspicuous  part  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  and  selected  the  ground  on  which  it  was  fought,  receiving  the  brevet 
of  major-general.     He  received  a  sword  and  a  vote  of  thanks  from  congress  and  a  sword  from  the  state  of  New  York.     After  sev 
eral  years  of  service  in  the  West,  General  Wool  took   charge  of  the   Department  of  the  East  in  1860,  and   at  the  opening  of  the 
Civil  war  saved   Fortress   Monroe   by  timely   re-enforcements,  afterward   commanding  there   at  the  head   of  the   Department   of 
Virginia.     He  was   promoted  a  major-general  May  16,  1862,  and  retired  from  the  service  in  the  following  year.     He  was  a   rigid 
disciplinarian  and  had  no  superior  in  the  organization  of  troops. 

5  John  F.  Reynolds  was  born  in  Pennsylvania   and  was  graduated  from   the    Military  Academy  in  1841.     He  reached  the 
rank  of  first  lieutenant  in  1846,  and  became  captain  in  1855,  lieutenant-colonel  in  1861,  colonel  in  1863,  brigadier-general  of  volun 
teers  in  1861  and   major-general  of  volunteers  in  1862.     He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  I,  1863.     He  received  the 
brevets  of  captain  and  major  for  gallant  and  meritorious  service  at  Monterey  and  Buena  Vista. 

6  Henry  Knox  Craig  was  born  in  Fort  Pitt,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  March  7,  1791,  and  died  in  the  city  of  Washington  December  7, 
1869.     He  entered  the  army  in  1812   as  a  second  lieutenant  and  became  captain   in  1813  and  major  in  1832.     He  was  chief  of 
ordnance  in  Taylor's  army  in   Mexico,  distinguished   himself  at  Palo  Alto  and   Resaca  de  la  Palma   and  was  brevetted  lieutenant- 
colonel  for  bravery  at  Monterey.     He  became  lieutenant-colonel  in  1848  and  colonel  in  1851.   After  having  charge  of  the  ordnance 
bureau  for  ten  years  he  was  retired  in  1863  but  in  March,  1865,  received  the  brevet  of  brigadier-general. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

up  your  certificate  for  sick  leave  for  Dr  Russell,  whose  services  can  be  badly 
spared  at  this  time —  My  nephew  who  came  up  here  is  name  Joseph  a 
younger  brother  of  Lewis  I  regretted  to  see  him  as  I  presume  he  is 
necessary  with  his  mother  &  family  who  must  stand  very  much  in  need 
of  his  services  at  home — 

Co1  Garland1  informed  me  he  saw  a  statement  in  a  Detroit  paper, 
that  Co1  Taylor1  had  been  ordered  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  join 
the  army  of  occupation  ;  if  so  it  is  strange  Ann  does  not  mention  it — 

My  love  to  dear  Ann  &  the  children  when  you  write  them,  as  well 
as  regards  to  all  friends  at  the  Point,  and  begging  you  will  keep  up  your 
spirits  &  look  more  on  the  bright  side  of  things,  I  remain 

Your  friend 

Truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 

It  is  with  the  greatest  difficulty  I  can  write  a  letter  in  consequence  of 

interruptions  &c. 

Z.  T. 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

Fort  Polk 
Texas 


Matamoros  Mexico 

June  24th  1846 
My  Dear  Doctor, 

Your  letter  of  yesterday  came  to  hand  this  morning  &  I  can  truly 
say  no  one  does  or  can  possibly  take  a  deeper  interest  in  all  that  concerns 
yourself  &  family  than  I  do,  &  am  therefore  concerned  at  the  way  you 

1  John  Garland  was  born  in  Virginia  in   1792  and  died  in   New  York  city  June  5,  1861.     He  entered  the  army  in   1813, 
served  through  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  became  a  captain   in  1817,  major  in   1836,  and  lieutenant-colonel  in  1839.     He  dis 
tinguished  himself  in  the  Florida  warunder  General  Worth  and  served  throughout  the  Mexican  war,  taking  part  in  six  battles,  in 
each  of  which  he  distinguished  himself.     He  commanded  a  brigade  at  Monterey  under  Taylor,  and  under  Scott  in  the  valley  of 
Mexico.    He  was  brevetted  colonel  for  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma  and  brigadier-genera!  for  Contreras  and  Churubusco.    He 
became  colonel  May  9, 1861. 

2  Joseph  Pannell  Taylor  was  Zachary  Taylor's  brother  and  was  born  near  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  4,  1796,  and  died  in  the  city 
of  Washington  June  29,  1864.     He  served  in  the  ranks  at  the  beginning  of  the  War  of  1812,  became  a  lieutenant  in  1813,  and  was 

t  J      .  7^  IS     ,  .  _  .      .  , . . 


ng  tne  war  witn  Mexico,  during  • 
made  colonel  and  commissarv-general,  and  on  February  9,  1863,  was  promoted  brigadier-general. 


16 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

seem  to  look  on  matters  &  events  which  you  cannot  control,  &  which  if 
indulged  in,  must  result  so  injuriously  to  you  &  yours  ;  it  is  a  long  very 
long  road  that  has  no  turn  in  it ;  &  I  am  pretty  well  satisfied  that  patience 
&  perseverance  will  enable  most  of  us  to  accomplish  what  we  determine 
on  be  it  what  it  may — 

The  leave  of  absence  asked  for  for  Russell  was  promptly  given  & 
the  order  for  the  same  sent  to  Fort  Polk  on  the  2ist  insc  under  cover  to 
Majr  Munroe  &  I  am  only  surprised  it  was  not  recd  but  presume  it  has 
been  done  ere  this  ;  if  however  it  has  been  mislaid,  the  Dr  can  leave  the 
first  good  opportunity,  &  a  duplicate  of  the  order  shall  be  sent  him  to 
any  place  he  designates.  A  few  papers  was  sent  up  to  me  night  before 
last  from  Fort  Polk,  but  nothing  beyond  N.  Orleans,  &  not  even  a  scrape 
of  a  pen  from  there  in  the  way  of  letters  from  any  quarter.  The  princi 
pal  matter  of  interest  contained  in  the  papers  is  the  ordering  Gen1  Gaines1 
to  Washington,  the  correspontence  between  the  Secretary  of  War  & 
Gen1  Scott  in  relation  to  the  latter  taking  comd  of  this  army,  which  cor 
respondence  the  president  thought  proper  to  lay  before  congress  in  a 
message  ;  all  of  which  I  presume  you  have  seen  ;  Gen1  S.  it  appears 
threw  some  objections  in  the  way  of  coming  here  as  he  did,  not  liked  to 
be  fired  on  at  the  same  time  by  the  Mexicans  in  his  front,  &  by  persons 
in  high  places  in  his  rear  ;  a  most  unfortunate  letter,  which  induced  the 
president  to  relieve  him  from  the  comd  to  which  he  had  been  assigned,  & 

r  o  ' 

from  the  danger  of  being  fired  on  from  the  front,  or  in  the  rear  ;  this 
indiscreet  letter  of  the  Gen1  will  have  the  effect  to  prostrate  him  most 
effectually,  &  will  have  or  I  am  very  much  mistaken  to  blight  his  pros 
pects  most  effectually  for  the  presidency,  which  he  has  been  looking  for 
ward  to  with  a  longing  eye  for  many  years.  At  any  rate  I  deeply  regret 
his  course  on  several  accts  first  it  has  had  the  effect  to  place  me,  or  rather 
to  keep  me  in  my  present  command,  which  I  by  no  means  desires  as  my 
private  affairs  require  my  presence  &  attention,  which  ought  not  to  be 
neglected,  longer  than  towards  the  close  of  the  present  year  ;  besides  I 


i  Edmund  Pendleton  Gaines  was  born  in  Culpeper  county,  Va.,  March  zo,  1777,  and  died  in  New  Orleans  June  6,  1849.  His 
father  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  took  part  in  the  convention  that  ratified  the  Federal  constitution.  The  son  became  an 
ensign  in  the  army  January  10,  1799,  and  was  slowly  advanced  to  brigadier-general  March  9,  1814.  He  received  the  brevet  of 
major-general  in  that  year  for  defeating  the  enemy  at  Fort  Erie  and  received  the  thanks  of  congress  and  a  gold  medal;  he  repelled 
with  great  slaughter  the  British  veteran  army  superior  in  numbers.  When  the  Mexican  war  began  he  made  himself  trouble  with 
the  government  by  assuming  the  liberty  of  calling  out  a  number  of  Southern  militia  without  orders,  and  was  tried  by  court-martial, 
but  was  not  censured. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

want  quiet,  &  should  have  it  at  my  time  of  life —  Besides  I  greatly  fear 
the  campaign  will  be  a  failure  which  will  break  down  the  individual  who 
conducts  it —  The  Qr  M  dept  or  those  who  compose  it1  are  not  ade 
quate  to  furnish  the  necessary  transportation,  provisions,  ammunition  &c  ; 
and  I  begin  to  doubt  their  willing  in  some  quarters  to  do  so  ;  but  let  my 
sacrifices  be  what  they  may  as  well  as  the  course  of  others  be  ever  so 
reprehensible,  if  the  go1  think  proper  to  entrust  me  with  this  command 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the  war  into  the  enemies  country  I  do  not 
feel  authorized  to  decline  the  same,  but  will  without  faltering  on  the  way, 
do  all  in  my  power  to  meet  the  views  &  expectations  of  those  who  con 
fided  in  me,  as  well  as  the  expectations  of  my  friends — 

Your  Friend 

Truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 
D"   R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  A  Fort  Polk 


Matamoros  Mexico 

June  30th  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  highly  esteemed  &  interesting  letters  of  the  24th  &  26th  ins' 
inclosing  one  in  part  from  Rob  &  dear  Ann,  were  duly  recd  &  alth°  the 
latter  appears  to  write  somewhat  despondingly,  yet  it  may  be  &  I 
hope  her  nervousness  is  in  a  great  measure  if  not  entirely  owing  to  her 
anxiety  about  those  she  is  so  deeply  interested  in,  in  this  quarter,  &  as 
that  cause  has  in  a  great  measure  passed  away,  she  will  find  herself  much 
better,  &  when  she  next  writes  you,  it  will  be  in  a  much  more  cheerful 
strain —  The  greatest  difficulty  seems  to  be  in  her  case,  is  the  manage 
ment  of  the  boys,  which  no  doubt  is  attended  with  much  anxiety  & 
trouble  to  her  ;  and  the  expenses  of  the  place,  as  well  as  that  of  dressing 
&  educating  the  children,  which  no  doubt  added  to  other  expenditures 
must  be  very  heavy,  &  perhaps  may  become  more  so  ;  but  they  must  be 


I     General  Taylor  had  frequent  cause  to  complain  of  the  inefficiency  of  the  quarter-master's  department. 

18 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

met  as  far  as  your  means  will  permit,  &  if  they  are  not  sufficient,  the 
expenses  must  be  brought  down  to  them.  The  next  inquiry  will  or 
ought  to  be  will  your  means  be  increased  or  diminished  by  quitting  the 
service,  as  you  must  still  live,  educate,  dress  &  feed  your  children  in  or 
out  of  the  army  ;  I  think  you  have  acted  wisely  in  referring  the  subject 
of  laving  or  remaining  in  the  army  to  Ann  ;  if  she  decides  in  favor  of 
the  first,  and  you  adopt  it,  of  cours  she  will  have  to  be  contented  after 
wards  come  what  may.  The  greatest  difficulty  seems  to  me  is  the  boys, 
they  require  the  advice  as  well  as  the  direction  of  a  father,  at  the  same 
time  you  could  only  place  them  in  situation  to  prepare  them  to  sustain 
themselves  hereafter ;  it  can  hardly  be  expected  you  could  be  constantly 
near  them,  until  they  arrive  at  years  of  discression.  Robs  letter  is  very 
well  written,  but  I  am  affraid  he  is  attempting  too  many  branches  at  the 
same  time  ;  he  is  no  doubt  talented  &  with  proper  instruction  &  educa 
tion  will  make  quite  a  talented  or  at  any  rate  a  distinguished  person, 
should  he  take  the  proper  turn. 

I  very  much  regret  to  hear  you  was  and  had  been  unwell  for  several 
days  ;  I  hope  however  it  will  not  prove  a  serious  attack  &  with  a  little 
care  in  addition  to  some  simple  remedies  you  will,  if  it  is  not  already  the 
case,  very  soon  be  restored  to  your  usual  health —  The  weather  here 
has  been  dreadful  for  many  days,  raining  &  blowing  a  gale  for  some  time 
which  with  bad  tents  &  wet  &  mudy  ground  to  pitch  them  on,  has  made 
us  all  quite  miserable,  as  well  as  added  to  the  sick  list—  I  have  felt  very 
much  for  the  poor  fellows  who  were  wounded  &  are  at  Fort  Polk,  as  well 
as  the  sick  every  where,  the  first  would  have  been  badly  off  any  where, 
in  the  best  quarter,  but  exposed  as  they  must  have  been  to  the  wet  &  wind 
of  the  late  tedious  bad  weather,  must  have  added  greatly  to  their  suffer 
ings.  The  sun  made  however  its  appearance  yesterday  &  is  likely  to  do 
so  to-day,  which  I  hope  if  it  has  no  other  effect  will  impart  cheerfulness 
to  us  all.  The  Rio  Grande  is  now  very  high,  up  to  the  top  of  its  banks 
in  many  places,  &  might  now  be  navigated  with  boats  of  the  largest  size 
as  high  as  we  wished  to  go,  but  unfortunately  we  have  none  here  up  to  this 
time  of  any  description,  nor  are  we  likely  to  have  ;  this  campaign  must 
be  a  failure  owing  to  the  ignorance  of  some  in  regard  to  some  matters,  & 
the  imbecility  of  others,  for  all  of  which  I  shall  be  made  the  scape  goat. 
The  12  months  volunteers  it  appears  are  arriving  at  Brazos  Santiago  in 

'9 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

thousands,  faster  than  they  can  be  landed,  what  are  to  be  done  with  them 
when  they  all  arrive  which  must  be  several  thousand,  or  become  of  or 
done  with  them,  I  am  unable  to  say.  The  last  mail  by  the  Alabama 
brought  me  an  app11  of  Majr  Gen1  by  brevet,  as  well  as  a  communication 
from  the  Secretary  of  War  that  I  had  been  selected  to  command  the  army 
on  the  Rio  Grande,  &  to  conduct  &  direct  the  war  against  Mexico  ;  the 
first  I  was  not  anxious  for,  nor  made  no  efforts  to  obtain  it  directly  or 
indirectly,  &  consider  the  honor  greatly  overbalanced  by  the  accompany- 
ment,  the  duties  which  have  been  assigned  me,  which  I  neither  wished  or 
expected,  &  which  I  would  have  avoided  had  I  been  consulted  in  the 
matter ;  but  I  now  see  no  other  alternative  &  will  go  throug  with  it  with 
zeal  &  energy  if  not  with  ability.  Gen1  Scott  should  have  at  once  come 
out  &  taken  the  comd  here,  as  soon  as  the  president  intimated  his  wishes 
that  he  should  do  so  ;  by  hesitating  &  throwing  obstacles  in  the  way  in 
regard  to  doing  so  whether  real  or  imaginary,  he  disgusted  the  Secretary 
of  War  as  well  as  Mr  Polk,1  as  well  as  many  others,  some  of  whom  were 
his  friends,  without  meeting  with  or  gaining  the  approbation  of  any  body  ; 
so  much  so,  that  he  was  at  once  relieved  from  the  comd  which  has  I  again 
say  to  you,  been  assigned  to  me  contrary  to  my  wishes,  &  permitted  to 
remain  in  Washington,  which  will  in  all  probability  have  the  effect  if  not 
to  break  him  down,  as  this  comd  will  assuredly  me,  will  have  the  effect  it 
seems  to  me  to  blight  all  his  prospects  for  the  presidency. 

As  regards  your  depc  there  is  no  doubt  many  abuses  exist  in  it,  but 
not  more  so  than  in  every  other  at  Washington,  and  alth°  your  lot  has 
been  a  hard  one  in  many  respects,  yet  I  do  not  consider  it  more  so  than 
many  others  who  have  held  themselves  above  asking  favors  from  those 
in  power.  We  are  all  of  us  too  apt  to  consider  our  lots  or  cares  the 
hardest ;  I  really  consider  few  if  any  individual  in  the  army  has  done 
more,  or  that  more,  or  as  much  has  been  required  of  them  as  myself;  but 
it  may  be  said  I  have  high  rank,  if  so,  I  have  earned  it,  by  toil,  danger 
&  privations  without  complaining  or  troubling  those  in  higher  places,  but 
putting  them  at  defiance  on  all  &  every  occasion,  &  if  Ann  &  the  children 
were  pleasantly  located  where  there  were  proper  schools,  it  is  pretty  much 
all  that  should  concern  you  ;  you  must  expect  to  tak  your  share  of  duty 


I     Meaning  President  James  K.  Polk. 

20 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

in  this  country,  which  all  in  the  corps  should  participate  in,  &  as  you 
have  commencd  others  in  a  great  while  will  if  from  no  other  cause  be 
compelled  by  public  opinion  to  take  their  turn.  Should  I  be  so  fortunate 
as  to  get  through  this  war  without  loss  of  reputation  I  may  go  to  Wash 
ington,  in  which  cas  I  may  have  an  opportunity  of  remarking  on  some 
of  the  abuses  there,  &  those  in  the  medical  dep*  among  others,  whether 
you  are  in  or  out  of  the  corps.  I  expect  Co1  Taylor  will  be  at  Fort  Polk 
in  a  week  or  two  as  I  have  recd  the  copy  of  an  order  sending  him  here. 
I  truly  regret  Ann  should  permit  her  feelings  to  be  operated  on  in  the 

slightest  manner,  in   regard  to  Dr  T his  staying   or  leaving   Detroit 

out  to  be  a  matter  of  perfect  indifference  to  her  ;  as  much  so,  as  if  he 
was  not  in  existance  ;  I  thought  she  was  more  of  a  Christian,  as  well  as 
posessed  too  much  dignity  to  indulge  in  or  give  way  to  such  feelings  in 
such  or  similar  cases  ;  when  I  see  her  I  shall  admonish  her  for  the  same — 

I  have  not  read  or  seen  all  the  correspondence  between  Genls  Gaines, 
Scott  &  Mr  Marcy ;  &  if  Gen1  S.  has  charged  Gen.  G.  with  being  crazy, 
he  can  with  great  propriety  return  the  compliment ;  the  first  has  been 
ordered  to  Washington  to  explain  his  conduct  while  in  N.  Orleans,  & 
report  says  if  he  can  justify  himself,  he  will  be  assigned  to  duty  in  the 
north  or  east,  perhaps  in  the  city  of  N.  York — 

The  passage  of  &  altering  the  bill  by  the  lower  house  of  the  the 
one  which  originated  &  passed  in  the  senate  on  the  subject  of  increasing 
the  number  of  genls  was  no  doubt  in  part  aimed  at  Gen1  S.  &  should  it 
pass,  which  I  do  not  expect,  may  have  the  effect  of  getting  him  out  of 
the  service —  I  have  no  aspirations  to  reach  the  head  of  the  army,  &  if 
this  war  can  be  once  closed,  I  wish  to  have  as  little  to  do  with  public 
matter  as  possible  ;  at  the  same  time  have  no  objections  to  be  laid  on  the 
shelf.  I  apprehend  Dick  is  on  board  the  Alabama  &  feel  great  uneasi 
ness  about  him  as  well  as  others  on  board  of  her  but  at  the  same  time 
hope  for  the  best ;  if  safe  she  will  doubtless  be  in,  in  the  course  of  today. 

Since  I  commenced  writing  your  note  of  the  2yth  was  recd  which 
was  a  few  hours  since,  &  I  had  hoped  to  have  heard  you  were  on  the 
mend,  but  it  seems  you  were  still  confined  to  your  bed;  but  I  hope  as 
soon  as  your  medicine  has  operated  that  you  will  be  able  to  get  on  your 
feet  as  well  as  to  resume  your  duties.  You  may  say  to  my  friend  Gen1 
Hunt  that  I  shall  not  interfere  with  the  election  referred  to  in  any  way 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

or  shape,  nor   shall  I  ever  be  a  candidate  for  the   presidency,  or  would  I 
have  it,  if  tendered  me  without  opposition. 

In  regard  to  your  letter  of  the  24th  in  regard  to  the  outrages  com 
mitted  by  the  Texas  volunteers  on  the  Mexicans  &  others,  I  have  not 
the  power  to  remedy  it  or  apply  the  corrective,  I  fear  they  are  a  lawless 
set—  I  regret  I  have  not  a  n.  paper  to  send  you  ;  all  that  have  reached 
me,  have  been  loaned  out,  &  none  returned  &  I  had  as  well  look  for  a 
needle  in  a  hay  stack  as  to  recover  them.  I  hope  the  Alabama  is  in  & 
has  brought  you  an  abundant  supply.  I  thank  Gen1  Swift1  &  family  for 
their  kind  congratulations  &  wish  you  to  say  so  to  young  S.  when  you 
write  him.  My  love  to  Ann  &  the  children  when  you  write  them. 

Yours  truly  &  sincerely 

Z.  TAYLOR 


Metamoros  Mexico  July  7th  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  welcome  &  interesting  letter  of  the  2d  ins'  was  duly  recd  for 
which  you  have  my  sincere  thanks.  I  was  very  much  gratified  to  hear 
that  you  had  been  restored  to  your  usual  health,  which  I  trust  you  will 
continue  to  enjoy,  &  that  you  had  recently  heard  from  dear  Ann,  &  that 
she  &  the  children  were  all  well  ;  if  at  a  proper  establishment  I  think 
Ann  did  right  in  sending  Bob  to  the  country,  as  it  must  have  the  effect 
of  seperating  him  from  those  who  not  only  set  him  bad  examples,  but 
lead  him  into  many  irregularities  ;  I  agree  with  you  that  Ann  had  better 
remain  quiet  for  the  present,  or  until  the  fall,  by  which  time  many  import 
ant  changes  may  take  place.  No  one  can  possibly  take  a  deeper  interest 
in  all  that  concerns  the  wellfare  of  yourself  &  family  than  myself,  & 
therefore  when  I  offer  you  or  them  my  advice,  alth°  it  may  sometimes 
appear  somewhat  unpalatable,  and  may  not  even  be  for  the  best,  yet  it  is 
intended  it  should  be  so,  &  at  any  rate  is  honestly  given  ;  dispondency 
should  never  be  given  way  to  under  any  circumstances — 

I  Joseph  Gardner  Swift  was  born  in  Nantucket,  Mass.,  December  51,  1783,  and  died  in  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  July  23,  1865.  He 
was  the  first  graduate  of  West  Point  (October  iz,  1801).  He  was  advanced  in  military  rank  to  brigadier-general  and  from  1829  to 
1845  was  superintendent  of  harbor  improvements  on  the  lakes. 

22 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

In  a  climate  like  this  &  under  the  circumstances  we  are  placed  in, 
there  must  be  a  great  deal  of  disease,  which  as  a  matter  of  course  must 
result  in  some  deaths,  &  we  will  be  fortunate  indeed  if  no  contagion  gets 
among  us  that  does  not  carry  off  hundreds  ;  I  trust  both  the  Govr  & 
Co1  C.  are  on  the  mend —  I  truly  regret  to  hear  of  the  death  of  any 
one  &  especially  of  the  wounded,  the  weather  has  been  dreadful,  &  it  is 
fortunate  that  more  have  not  died. 

Should  you  determine  on  sending  Bob  to  W.  Point  I  wis  your 
application  may  prove  successful,  I  will  give  all  the  aid  I  can,  which  is 
very  little —  As  to  Dr  T.  he  never  crosses  my  mind  unless  brought  to 
my  notice  by  some  one  so  that  I  will  dismiss  him  for  the  present.  When 
one  has  the  means  to  meet  their  real  wants  any  where  I  cannot  see  the 
propriety  or  necessity  of  making  themselves  unhappy  about  matters  & 
things  of  no  real  concern,  there  might  be  some  reason  for  their  doing  so, 
was  there  a  probability  of  their  coming  to  want,  which  there  is  not  the 
remotest  posibility  of  in  her  case —  Economy  I  consider  a  virtue  & 
should  be  practiced  by  all ;  there  is  certainly  no  way  in  which  money  can 
be  laid  out  than  in  the  education  of  children.  I  think  you  should  keep 
up  your  correspondence  with  Mower  ;J  besides  much  information  may  be 
gleaned  by  an  interchang  of  opinions  with  such  a  man,  he  may  be  &  at 
no  distant  day  at  the  head  of  your  dep1  if  so  he  will  I  hope  do  what  is 
right  &  proper  so  far  as  you  are  concerned,  as  well  as  in  all  other  cases — 
I  observe  by  the  latest  paper  which  reached  here  from  N.  Orleans,  the 
Tropic  of  the  29th  that  England  would  offer  her  mediation  to  settle  the 
difficulty  between  us  and  Mexico,  if  so  I  sincerely  hope  there  will  soon 
be  peace  between  the  two  countries,  in  which  case  that  the  president  will 
make  no  appts  of  Gen1  &  Staff  officers  under  the  late  law,  as  it  would 
have  the  effect  of  disbanding  some  of  us,  &  I  for  one  have  no  wish  to 
be  dropped,  nor  have  I  any  to  be  promoted  &  retained  at  the  expense  of 
Gen1  Scott  or  Gaines  ;  notwithstanding  it  may  be  the  case,  and  I  will  not 
suffer  myself  to  believe  that  any  obstacles  will  be  thrown  my  way  in  the 
war,  to  prevent  my  prosecuting  the  war  with  energy,  at  least  I  hope  not ; 
yet  it  would  seem  so  from  the  way  things  have  been  managed  ;  boats 


I     Thomas  G.  Mower  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  was   appointed  to  the  army  in  1812  as  a  surgeon's   mate,  became   a  major 
surgeon  in  1814,  and  died  December  7,  1853. 

23 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TATLOR 

appear  to  be  now  rapidly  getting  here  at  this  time  &  I  hope  soon  to  have 
supplies  to  enable  me  to  move  at  at  any  rate  Camargo  ;:  &  nothing  but 
peace  will  arrest  my  progress  into  the  enemies  country  after  I  am  fully 
ready  to  move,  which  I  hope  will  be  towards  the  last  of  the  present 
month —  Co1  Whiting  is  now  here,  &  I  am  satisfied  will  do  all  he  can 
to  forward  my  views  ;  I  shall  speak  to  Co1  W.  about  having  the  Long 
fitted  up  at  once,  or  as  soon  as  it  can  be  done.  Co1  Taylor  will  no  doubt 
be  here  very  shortly,  &  may  bring  something  of  interest  from  Washing 
ton,  as  well  as  of  interest  to  you  from  Detroit.  Neither  Genl8  Gaines  or 
Scott  has  added  to  their  reputation  by  publishing  their  corresponcence,  & 
I  think  they  will  live  to  regreat  their  course.  Gen1  S.2  will  never  hear 
the  last  of  a  fire  from  his  rear,  or  a  hasty  plate  of  soup —  If  Leonidas 
Waker  is  in  the  country  he  must  be  with  the  Mississippi  people  ;  I  hope 
however  he  has  thought  better  of  it  &  remained  at  home.  I  agree  with 
you  in  doubting  the  reorganization  of  the  Texans,  I  feel  but  little  interest 
in  the  matter ;  alth°  I  expect  if  they  could  be  made  subordinate  they 
would  be  the  best,  at  any  rate  as  good  as  any  volunteer  corps  in  ser 
vice  ;  but  I  fear  they  are  &  will  continue  too  licentious  to  do  much  good. 
I  hope  you  will  give  them  all  the  medical  aid  in  your  power  as  well  as  to 
supply  them  with  medicines  and  hospital  stores  as  long  as  they  can  be 


1  A  small  village  on  the  Rio  Grande  above  Matamoros,  which  was  used  as  a  depot  pending  the  operations  on  Monterey. 

2  General  Taylor  was  called  "  Rough  and   Ready  "  and  General  Scott  "  Fuss  and   Feathers."     U.  S.  Grant  served  under 
both  and  left  this  interesting  comparison  :     "  The  contrast   between  the  two  was  very  marked.     General   Taylor  never   wore 
uniform,  but  dressed  himself  entirely  for  comfort.     He  moved  about  the  field  in  which  he  was  operating  to  see  through  his  own 
eyes  the  situation.     Often  he  would  be  without  staff  officers,  and  when  he  was  accompanied  by  them  there  was  no  prescribed  order 
in  which  they  followed.    He  was  very  much  given  to  sit  his  horse  side-ways — with  both  feet  on  one  side — particularly  on  the  battle 
field.     General  Scott  was  the  reverse  in  all  these  particulars.     He  always  wore  all  the  uniform  prescribed  or  allowed  by  law  when 
he  inspected  his  lines  ;  word  would  be  sent  to  all  division  and   brigade  commanders  in  advance,  notifying  them  of  the  hour  when 
the  commanding  general  might  be  expected.     This  was  done  so  that  all  the  army  might  be  under  arms  to  salute  their  chief  as  he 
passed.     On  these  occasions  he  wore  his  dress  uniform,  cocked  hat,  aiguillettes,  sabre,  and  spurs.     His  staff  proper,  besides  all 
officers  constructively  on  his  staff — engineers,  inspectors,  quartermasters,  etc.,  that  could   be  spared — followed,  also  in  uniform  and 
in  prescribed  order.     Orders  were  prepared  with  great  care   and  evidently  with  the  view  that  they  should  be  a  history  of  what 
followed.     In  their  modes  of  expressing  thought,  these  two  generals  contrasted  quite  as  strongly  as  in  their   other  characteristics. 
General  Scott  was  precise  in  language,  cultivated  a  style  peculiarly  his  own  ;  was  proud  of  his  rhetoric  ;   not  averse  to  speaking  of 
himself,  often  in  the  third  person,  and  he  could  bestow  praise  upon  the  person  he  was  talking  about  without  the  least  embarrass 
ment.     Taylor  was  not  a  conversationalist,  but  on  paper  he  could  put  his  meaning  so  plainly  that  there  could  be  no  mistaking  it. 
He  knew  how  to  express  what  he  wanted  to  say  in   the  fewest  well-chosen  words,  but  would  not  sacrifice  meaning  to  the  construc 
tion  of  high-sounding  sentences.     But  with  their  opposite  characteristics  both  were  great  and  successful  soldiers  ;  both  were  true, 
patriotic,  and  upright  in  all  their  dealings.     Both  were  pleasant  to  serve  under — Taylor  was  pleasant  to  serve  with.     Scott  saw 
more  through  the  eyes  of  his  staff  officers  than   through  his  own.     His  plans  were  deliberately  prepared,  and  fully  expressed  in 
orders.     Taylor  saw  for  himself,  and  gave  orders  to  meet  the  emergency  without   reference  to  how  they  would  read  in  history." 
("  Memoirs,"  Vol.  I,  138-159.) 

The  incident  to  which  General  Taylor  refers  in  the  text  may  thus  be  explained  :  The  first  reports  received  in  Washington  in 
the  spring  of  1846  from  the  Rio  Grande  were  to  the  effect  that  Taylor's  little  army  was  hard  pressed.  Accordingly  Scott,  as  the 
commanding  general,  began  to  make  elaborate  plans  for  relief;  he  was  to  go  to  Mexico  at  the  head  of  a  grand  army  and  conquer 
a  glorious  peace.  But  the  politicians  in  power,  differing  with  him  in  politics,  interfered  with  him,  and  he  soon  learned  that  the 
Secretary  of  War,  William  L.  Marcy,  was  laboring  craftily  with  the  senate  committee  on  military  affairs  to  amend  a  bill  so  as  to 
add  new  major-generals  to  the  regular  establishment.  Scott  denounced  the  trick  of  raising  others  to  his  rank,  and  in  return 
Marcy  attempted  to  read  him  a  lecture.  Scott  was  thoroughly  exasperated  and  wrote  an  indiscreet  letter  to  Marcy,  which,  after 
some  ridiculous  mention  of  his  having  stepped  out  to  take  "  a  hasty  plate  of  soup,"  referred  significantly  to  the  "  fire  upon  the 
rear"  which  he  had  to  endure  from  "  persons  in  high  places."  The  opposition  politicians  and  newspapers  took  up  these  phrases 
and  made  much  of  them — Scott,  indeed,  never  heard  the  last  of  them,  as  General  Taylor  predicted — though  the  incident  was 
closed  when  news  came  of  Taylor's  great  victories  on  the  Rio  Grande. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

spared ;  I  hope  the  tents  have  arrived  ere  now  &  that  those  people  have 
been  supplied  with  enough  to  protect  them  from  the  weather  ;  I  am 
pleased  to  learn  the  Govrl  is  satisfied  that  all  that  could  be  was  done  for 
them — 

Alth°  Mrs.  Page  has  had  a  hard  time  of  it,  yet  I  hear  she  has  ere 
now  joined  the  Cap1  &  without  further  accidents — 

It  seems  to  be  a  very  difficult  matter  to  get  pay  masters  in  the 
country  or  keep  them  here  after  their  arrival  ;  Denny  is  now  the  only 
one  in  the  country,  there  are  for  the  number  fully  as  many  abuses  in  that 
depc  as  there  are  in  the  medical  or  any  other  if  not  more — 

I  hope  we  will  be  soon  able  to  put  the  volunteers  in  motion  &  keep 
them  moveing  so  far  as  it  is  necesssry  for  the  benefit  of  their  health.  If 
Hay  will  come  up  &  let  me  know  the  number  &  strength  of  his  comps 
I  will  assign  them  transportation  &  soon  put  them  in  motion —  I  have 
been  looking  for  Govr  Henderson  or  for  some  one  from  him  for  several 
days — 

I  am  very  much  pleased  to  find  the  Oregon  question  has  been 
settled,  &  I  think  on  correct  principles  &  hope  those  with  Mexico  will 
very  soon  follow — 

I  send  you  down  by  Majr  Craig  a  check  on  N.  York  for  four  hun 
dred  dollars  as  I  have  no  use  for  it  you  can  send  it  to  your  brother  to 
have  invested  or  anything  else  as  you  may  think  best —  My  respects  to 
Majr  M.,  Capt.  Ramsey  &  Dr.  Wells  &  best  regards  to  all  inquiring 
friends. 

Yours  truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 

Dick  got  here  day  before  yesterday  ;  if  he  has  learned  nothing  else 
he  has  learned  to  chew,  to  use  tobacco —  We  have  no  news  from  the 
interior. 

DRR.  C.  WOOD,  U.  S.  A. 


I  Referring  to  Governor  Henderson  of  Texas.  James  Pinckney  Henderson  was  born  in  Lincoln  county,  N.  C.,  March  31, 
1808,  and  died  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  June  4,  1858.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1809,  removed  to  Texas  in  183;  and  in  the 
following  year  was  appointed  a  brigadier-general  in  the  Texan  army.  He  served  as  attorney-general  of  the  republic  of  Texas, 
then  as  secretary  of  state,  and  in  1839  went  abroad  in  the  hope  of  securing  foreign  recognition.  He  was  a  special  minister  to  the 
United  States  in  1844  to  negotiate  annexation.  He  was  elected  governor  of  Texas  in  1846,  after  annexation,  and  in  response  to 
the  call  for  volunteers  took  command  of  the  Texas  corps.  He  distinguished  himself  at  Monterey  and  received  the  thanks  of  con 
gress  and  a  sword.  In  1857  he  was  appointed  a  senator  of  the  United  States  to  fill  a  vacancy  but  served  only  a  few  months. 

25 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


Matamoros  July  14th  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  several  letters  of  the  9th  &  12th  insr  were  duly  recd  the  men 
referred  to  as  necessary  for  Hospital  purpose  have  been  detailed  & 
announced  in  orders.  The  case  of  Kelly  was  promptly  attended  to  on 
the  receipt  of  your  first  communication  on  the  subject ;  being  referred  to 
the  Adjt  Gen1  of  the  army,  with  an  urgent  request  that  if  nothing  could 
be  done  for  him  without,  that  the  matter  be  brought  before  congress— 
L{  Eaton  forwarded  Miller  a  letter  of  recommendation  to  the  Adjc  Gen1 
on  the  subject  of  Bealls  leaving,  I  consider  it  was  improper  he  should 
have  done  so  under  the  circumstances,  at  any  rate  until  another  pay 
master  relieved  him  ;  he  however  is  of  but  little  account ;  I  look  on  him 
as  pretty  much  broken  down,  at  any  rate  whenever  seperated  from  his 
family  or  rather  wife  ;  I  am  fully  aware  of  the  difficulties  you  have  to 
contend  with,  in  the  way  of  giving  or  withholding  where  officers  are  con 
cerned,  sick  certificates — 

I  truly  regret  to  hear  that  the  Govr  Continues  so  seriously  indis 
posed  ;  it  is  quite  likely  a  trip  from  Fort  Polk  by  water  to  this  place,  in 
addition  to  change  of  diet,  may  prove  beneficial  to  him,  at  any  rate  I 
hope  so —  The  irregularity  as  well  as  the  long  intervals  between  the 
mails  from  N.  Orleans  have  become  a  serious  evil,  if  not  an  abuse ;  \ve 
have  had  but  one  mail  for  the  last  36  days  ;  I  know  of  but  one  way  to 
correct  the  same,  which  is  to  remove  Qr  Masters  not  from  one  station  to 
another,  but  to  civil  life.  I  was  pleased  to  hear  that  Co1  Mclntosh  had 
taken  his  departure  for  N.  Orleans,  and  his  doing  so  must  be  a  great 
relief  to  the  Medical  dep1 — 

I  am  thankful  to  Capc  Ramsey  for  his  kind  remembrance  which  is 
fully  reciprocated ;  if  the  report  be  true,  that  a  compy  of  artillery  had 
been  sent  by  water  to  Callifornia,  we  may  abandon  all  expectation  of  a 
peace  with  Mexico  in  any  reasonable  time  ;  &  we  will  be  fortunate  if  the 
result  is  not  a  war  with  some  of  the  great  European  powers.  Alth°  there 
appears  to  be  a  fatality  attending  every  thing  connected  with  the  Qr  M. 
department  from  Matamoros  to  N.  Orleans,  yet  I  trust  the  steamer 
reported  to  have  left  N.  Orleans  with  a  mail  is  safe,  at  any  rate  the  wag 
gons  throw  over  board  will  never  be  recovered,  &  must  be  replaced  if  at 

26 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

all,  by  others  which  will  have  to  be  made  ;  so  that  I  have  abandoned  all 
hopes  of  getting  supplies  to  Cormargo  which  will  enable  me  to  make  a 
forward  movement  in  any  reasonable  time,  so  that  the  campaign  in  ques 
tion  must  prove  a  failure  in  part,  if  not  entirely  ;  the  result  will  be,  that  I 
must  be  sacrificed,  by  the  folly  &  imbecility  of  others —  I  presume 
Co1  Taylor  will  be  out  in  the  Alabama,  &  will  I  make  no  doubt  give  you 
some  pleasant  news  in  regard  to  your  family,  a  well  as  matters  of  interest 
going  on  about  Washington —  The  Rio  Grande  is  rapidly  falling  &  I 
presume  the  road  between  this  &  Point  Isabel  will  be  passable  in  a  few 
days,  if  it  is  not  very  good — 

Co1  Whiting  did  not  visit  Fort  Polk  as  I  expected  he  would  have 
done  when  he  went  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  a  short  time  since,  but  pre 
sume  he  will  attend  to  all  the  suggestions  made  by  you  in  regard  to  wood 
&  every  thing  else  connected  with  the  Hospital ;  if  not  very  energetic  he 
appears  to  be  a  very  gentlemanly  person,  &  I  have  no  doubt  disposed  to 
do  what  is  right  &  proper.  Majr  Brown1  who  I  learn  is  a  man  of 
energy,  will  be  left  in  command  of  Fort  Polk  with  his  strong  company  ; 
removing  all  the  militia  from  there.  Cap1  Vinton's2  company  got  here 
last  evening —  I  hope  the  country  will  be  in  such  a  situation  as  to  enable 
me  to  move  foot  &  mounted  troops  in  any  direction  in  6  or  8  days ;  with 
loaded  waggons  it  is  doubtful  when  I  can  do  so —  As  to  Ann's  change 
of  location,  that  of  course  must  be  left  to  future  events,  at  any  rate  in  a 
great  measure  ;  I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  attend  to  her  removal  to  some 
more  desirable  position  in  person  in  October.  At  any  rate  if  in  com 
mand  here  I  calculate  on  giving  you  a  leave  for  that  object  in  October — 

There  is  so  many  applicants  for  situations  in  the  staff,  I  feel  no  wish 
for  Dick  to  take  any  situation  of  the  kind,  &  prefer  his  continuing  with 
me,  even  if  unemployed  rather  than  to  be  the  subject  of  remarks  by  any 
one,  alth°  idleness  is  here  &  everywhere  else  a  growing  evil ;  I  have  not 
as  yet  made  up  my  mind  as  to  the  occupation  in  life  it  would  be  best 
for  him  to  adopt  or  pursue.  I  sincerely  hope  there  will  be  no  necessity 


1  Harvey  Brown  (1795-1874)  was  graduated  from  West  Point  in  1818,  joined  the  artillery,  became  famous  as  an  Indian  fighter 
and  was  major  of  a  battalion  of  artillery  in  the  Army  of  Occupation  under  Taylor.     He  distinguished  himself,  received  successive 
brevets,  and  became  full  major  January  9,  1851. 

2  John  R.Vinton  was  born  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  June  16,  1801,  was  graduated  from  West  Point  in  1817,  and  became  cap 
tain  of  the  Third  Artillery  in  l8}J.     He  distinguished  himself  at  Monterey,  where  he  was  with  Worth's  division,  and  received  the 
brevet  of  major.     He  was  killed  near  Vera  Cniz,  March  22,  1847,  by  the  windage  of  a  cannon  ball. 

27 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

for  the  app1  of  any  additional  gen1  officers  by  the  president  under  the 
recent  law  for  that  object,  nor  even  if  done,  would  I  regret  or  feel  out 
raged  if  the  appt  was  given  to  an  other,  I  am  too  far  advanced  in  life  to 
be  able  much  longer  to  discharge  the  duties  appertaining  to  that  station — 
Gen1  Jesup1  may  receive  the  app1  in  question,  but  I  hardly  think  not, 
but  should  he  not  do  so,  he  will  hardly  throw  away  his  bread  and  butter, 
by  resigning —  I  feel  confident  that  our  ambitious  views  of  conquest  & 
agrandisement  at  the  expense  of  a  weak  power  will  only  be  restrained  & 
circumscribed  by  our  inability  to  carry  out  our  view,  &  in  six  or  eight 
months  if  the  Mexicans  hold  out  that  long,  we  will  be  fully  as  anxious 
to  make  peace  as  they  are ;  for  by  that  time  we  will  have  expended  with 
very  little  effect  or  purpose  all  the  money  in  the  treasury,  when  our  govc 
will  have  to  resort  to  loans  &  taxation  to  carry  on  the  war  ;  a  course 
never  palatable  to  our  people —  We  have  nothing  of  interest  here  I 
send  you  down  a  map  of  Mexico  no  very  correct  one,  but  the  best  we 
have —  I  was  gratified  to  learn  your  health  was  tolerable,  &  hope  it 
will  get  no  worse  if  it  does  not  improve,  but  hope  the  latter  will  be  the 
case.  I  hope  the  next  mail  will  bring  you  good  news  from  Detroit — 
Give  my  love  to  Ann  &  the  children  when  you  write  them—  My 
respects  to  Ramsey  &  Dr.  Wells  &  wishing  you  continued  health  I 
remain  with  respect  &  esteem 

Your  Friend 

Truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 
DR  R.  G.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

Fort  Polk  Texas. 

Your  pay  accts  with  your  note  was  turned  over  to  Denny  who 
promised  the  matter  should  be  attended  to  the  mail  is  just  in  but  brings 
nothing  of  importance,  I  have  recd  my  com"  as  Majr  Gen1  so  that  I  may 
dispense  for  the  future  with  my  Brevt.  in  signing  my  name  officially — 

Z.  T. 


I  Thomas  S.  Jesup  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1788  and  died  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  June  10,  1860.  He  entered  the  army  in 
1808,  distinguished  himself  during  the  War  of  1812,  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Niagara,  was  slowly  advanced,  became 
major-general  by  brevet  in  1828,  succeeded  General  Richard  K.  Call  in  command  of  the  army  in  Florida  in  1836,  and  was  wounded 
in  an  action  with  the  Seminoles  on  January  24,  1838,  after  which  he  was  relieved  by  Colonel  Zachary  Taylor. 

28 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

I  had  nearly  finished  my  letter  to  you  when  the  mail  man  left  with 
out  my  knowing  it ;  the  fact  is  the  only  time  I  have  to  write  or  in  fact  to 
attend  to  any  private  business,  is  from  day  light  to  breakfast,  the  balance 
of  my  time  is  completely  occupied  with  public  &  other  matters.  My 
eyes  will  not  admit  or  permit  my  writing  by  candle  light. 

The  mail  man  come  in  the  morning  &  brought  a  good  many  letters, 
but  nothing  of  importance —  Nothing  from  the  Alabama  I  feel  very 
uneasy  about  ner,  but  hope  she  has  run  back  to  Galveston,  or  got  into 
some  other  safe  harbor,  we  shall  know  all  about  her  in  a  day  or  two. 

Yours  truly 

Z.  T. 
DR  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  A  Fort  Polk 

Tex 
Matamoros  Mexico 

July  15th  1846 


Matamoros  Mexico 

July  25th  1846 
My  dear  Doctor 

Your  highly  esteemed  &  interesting  letter  of  the  2Oth  inst.  was  duly 
reed.  Co1  Taylor  bring  but  little  news  of  interest  other  than  he  left  all 
well  in  Detroit,  he  says  Ann  was  looking  very  well,  better  than  usual. 
He  says  also  that  he  had  a  conversation  with  Lawson  on  the  subject  of 
your  being  sent  here  instead  of  Tripler,  who  admitted  the  detail  was  an 
improper  one,  &  that  it  should  have  been  left  to  you,  or  that  you  should 
have  been  consulted  whether  you  preferred  coming  or  otherwise  ;  but 
this  is  all  wind,  the  remidy  has  not  been  applied,  &  the  outrage  remedied  ; 
but  it  had  now  perhaps  better  be  suffered  to  pass  without  further  com 
ment  or  notice — 

A  flying  report  has  reached  here  which  I  do  not  credit,  that  the 
2d  Infy.  had  been  ordered  to  California,  if  so  I  presume  T.  will  accom 
pany  it ;  it  is  evident  our  gov1  is  determined  to  take  &  keep  possession 
if  possible  of  that  country,  &  of  course  they  will  at  a  proper  time  send 

29 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TATLOR 

more  troops  than  one  compy  to  garrison   the  country.     As  to    my  age1 
from  recollection   I   was  60  years  old   last  Novr  being  born  in    Orange 

•  O  O 

O  State  of  Virginia,  but  I  may  be  mistaken  &  my  sister  correct — 

Alth°  we  have  a  number  of  boats  we  are  getting  on  very  slowly  in 
getting  supplies  to  Comargo  ;  it  appears  they  meet  with  much  greater 
obstacles  in  navigating  the  river  than  was  anticipated  ;  the  current  is  very 
strong,  no  pilots  who  understand  the  channel,  nor  wood  proper  for  rais 
ing  steam,  what  little  there  is  being  green,  &  not  adapted  to  that  object ; 
how  it  will  all  end  time  alone  must  determine.  I  hope  to  leave  here  for 
Comargo  in  six  or  eight  days.  I  have  ordered  Co1  Wood's  Rgf  Texas 
Volunteers  to  this  place  as  soon  as  the  Qr  M.  at  Fort  Polk  can  furnish 
them  with  waggons  to  bring  up  their  sick  who  I  have  directed  to  be 
placed  in  hospitals  as  soon  as  they  arrive.  Fortunately  there  is  but  little 
sickness  here  all  things  considered  among  either  Regulars  or  Volunteers, 
most  of  the  latter  are  about  returning  to  their  homes  ;  the  authorities  at 
Washington  having  determined  that  they  could  not  under  the  laws  then 
existing  be  legally  brought  into  service  any  of  them,  for  more  than  three 
months,  &  those  raised  by  authority  of  Gen1  Gaines  was  illegally  done. 
The  first  would  be  disbanded  &  sent  home  at  the  end  of  the  three 
months  instead  of  six,  the  time  they  agreed  to  serve,  &  the  latter  Peytons 
&  Fetherstons  of  Louisiana,  Rafords  &  one  or  two  cornp8  of  Alabamies 
brought  in  by  authority  of  Gen1  Gaines  to  be  at  once  discharged,  unless 
they  would  change  their  engagements  to  12  months  according  to  the  late 
act  of  congress  on  that  subject,  which  I  imagine  but  few  of  them  will  do, 
as  I  think  the  larger  portion  of  them  have  had  enough  of  volunteering. 
They  will  be  sent  to  Brazos  Island  as  fast  as  possible,  &  from  there  to 
New  Orleans  as  rapidly  as  vessels  can  be  had  to  accommodate  them — 

I  recently  recd  two  letters  from  Betty  at  Baton  Rouge  all  well,  in 
which  they  send  their  kind  regards  to  you  ;  I  regret  that  Ann  does  not 
hear  more  frequently  from  them.  I  shall  not  forget  your  wishes  in 
regard  to  them  when  I  next  write —  I  think  you  acted  correctly  in  the 
course  you  took  as  regards  the  loan  asked  for  by  young  Taylor,  I  am 
fearful  he  is  doing  badly  ;  he  has  been  here  for  several  days,  but  left 
yesterday  to  join  his  reg'  I  furnished  him  with  the  am'  he  wanted,  & 


I      See  Introduction. 


3° 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

presume  it  will  be  returned  if  he  ever  gets  home,  where  I  wish  he  was 
at  this  time — 

The  weather  here  has  been  quite  unfavorable  for  military  operations, 
the  country  generally  covered  with  water,  &  the  roads  almost  if  not  quite 
impassible  for  cannon  or  loaded  waggons.  Most  of  the  first  Briggade 
with  Gen1  Worth  has  left  for  Comargo — they  went  up  by  water.  The 
balance  two  comps  with  Duncans1  battery  will  leave  for  the  same  place  by 
land  on  Saturday.  The  5th  &  yth  Infy  are  already  there,  &  the  Ist  at 
Reynosa,  so  you  see  I  am  going  ahead  as  fast  as  I  can  possibly  do  so. 
I  consider  the  mail  arrangements  between  Fort  Polk  &  N.  Orleans  very 
defective,  but  Co1  Whiting  says  he  will  try  &  apply  the  corrective.  As 
to  papers  I  can  only  read  a  few  of  the  latest,  as  well  as  a  portion  of  the 
most  interesting  articles  in  them,  which  are  occasionally  brought  to  my 
notice  by  others. 

It  would  not  have  been  to  me  at  all  mortifying  had  Gen1  Housten2 
been  selected  to  fill  the  office  of  Majr  Gen1  instead  of  myself,  incumbered 
as  it  is,  with  the  operations  of  this  army  under  present  circumstances,  I 
consider  it  anything  but  enviable.  I  consider  it  quite  likely  there  will  be 
a  reaction  in  favor  of  Gen1  Scott,  from  the  character  of  our  people,  I 
should  not  be  at  all  surprised  to  see  him  the  most  popular  man  in  the 
country  ;  we  often  go  from  one  extreme  to  another —  I  can  truly  say 
since  the  promotions  of  T.  &  K.  I  feel  very  much  for  Worth  he  look 
completely  broken  down.  I  do  not  believe  the  court  ordered  in  Gen1 
Gaines  case  will  result  to  his  injury,  at  any  rate  I  hope  not,  at  the  same 
time  I  do  not  approve  his  course. 

I  have  given  orders  in  regard  to  the  Hospital  required  at  Fort  Polk, 


I  James  Duncan  (1810-1849)  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1854,  became  captain  in  1846  and  took  part  in  the 
ittles  of  Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Monterey,  Cerro  Gordo,  Cburubusco,  and  Molino  del  Rey,  the  assault  on  Chapultepec, 
id  the  capture  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  receivine  brevets  UD  to  colonel. 


nd  the  capture  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  receiving  brevets  up  to  colonel. 


lency,  immediately  repaired  tne  blunders  of  His  predecessor,  Mirabeau  B.  Lamar,  and  began  negotiations  for  annexation  to 
the  United  States.  This  was  completed  December  29, 1845,  and  in  the  following  March  Houston  was  elected  to  the  senate  of  the 
United  States,  where  he  served  till  1859,  when  he  was  elected  governor  of  Texas.  He  was  a  pronounced  friend  of  the  Union  of 
States  and  refused  to  take  the  oath  to  the  Confederacy  when  Texas  seceded;  accordingly  he  was  deposed  from  office  as  governor, 
and  thereafter  tnnk  nn  narr  in  niihlir  airViire 


and  thereafter  took  no  part  in  public  affair 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

as  well  as  in  relation  to  other  maters,  &  hope  the  corrective  will  be 
applied  ;  neither  expense  or  anything  else  as  far  as  my  authority  will  go, 
will  be  spared  to  afford  ample  accomodation  to  the  sick —  Dr  Craig  has 
been  instructed  to  require  &  the  Qr  Master  to  provide  every  accomoda 
tion  for  them  including  quarters  &c  in  Matamoros ;  &  until  the  new  hos 
pital  at  Fort  Polk  is  completed  ;  those  that  are  very  sick  &  require  to  be 
sent  to  a  Hospital  had  better  come  here;  I  have  directed  Dr  Craig  to 
require  everything  necessary  as  regards  Hospital  stores,  medicines  &c  for 
2000  sick. 

As  to  Majr  Brown's  position,  I  will  do  what  I  can  to  give  him  a 
command  in  accordance  with  his  bvr  rank,  but  I  will  make  no  promis  on 
that  head.  Most  persons  consider  their  cases  if  not  gratified  in  accord 
ance  with  their  wishes  as  being  hard  ones,  but  it  is  impossible  for  one  in 
my  position  to  gratify  every  one,  &  I  may  be  under  the  painful  necessity 
of  doing  things  that  may  be  consider  not  altogether  right  &  proper,  from 
the  circumstances  in  which  I  may  be  placed  in,  at  the  time  ;  I  will  on  all 
occasions  so  far  as  as  I  know  &  believe  act  for  the  public  good  alone — 

I  was  glad  to  hear  your  excellent  mother  enjoyed  such  robust  health 
&  retained  her  faculties  at  so  advanced  an  age  ;  say  to  her  when  you  write 
I  thank  her  most  sincerely  for  her  kind  remembrances,  &  wish  her  the 
enjoyment  of  both  for  many  years  to  come  ;  at  the  same  time  let  me 
assure  you  &  her  that  I  have  no  aspirations  other  than  to  bring  this  war 
to  a  speedy  &  honorable  close,  I  would  not  be  a  candidate  for  the  presi 
dency  if  certain  of  reaching  it — 

I  have  seen  but  little  of  Co1  Taylor  since  he  arrived,  he  has  taken  up 
his  quarters  in  town,  which  I  advised  him  to  do,  on  account  of  bad 
weather  &  his  health,  which  is  improving  ;  I  very  seldom  leave  my  tent 
to  go  into  town,  or  in  fact  any  where  else — 

I  recd  the  paper  containing  Dr  Wood's  letter  referred  to  by  you  & 
have  read  it  with  much  interest — 

I  imagine  the  volunteers  do  not  complain  without  cause  in  many 
instances — 

Say  to  my  friend  Co1  Johnson  I  will  order  him  here  as  soon  as  the 
Qr  Master  can  furnish  him  with  transportation. 

Yours  truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 

32 


LETTERS       OF      Z A C H A R T       TAYLOR 

If  you  can  make  out  what  I  have  written   you  will  be  fortunate,  as 
you  have  no  idea  of  the  interruptions  I  am  subjected  to  while  attempting 

to  write  even' a  short  letter. 

Z.  T. 
SURG*  R.  C.  WOOD,  U.  S.  A. 


Matamoros  Mexico 

Aug<  4th  1 846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  esteemed  &  welcome  letter  of  the  Ist  was  duly  recd  &  I  again 
must  say  I  sincerely  hope  that  something  will  yet  occur  to  bring  this  war 
to  a  speedy  &  favorable  termination,  &  I  can  but  look  on  the  last  accts 
from  Vera  Cruz  as  rather  favorable  to  such  expectation,  as  it  is  pretty 
certain  that  Parades1  was  in  the  City  of  Mexico  on  the  i6th  ult°  &  could 
not  quit  there  for  fear  a  revolution  taking  place  should  he  do  so  ;  I 
consider  it  therefore  doubtful  if  a  Mexican  army  should  meet  us  at  or 
near  Monterey  he  will  hardly  be  at  the  head  of  it — 

It  is  only  natural  I  should  take  the  deepest  interest  in  John's  well- 
fare,  as  well  as  in  that  of  all  your  children,  &  truly  hope  they  may  all  be 
prosperous  &  happy.  The  boys  I  trust  whether  in  the  public  service  or 
in  private  life  will  act  well  their  parts  what  ever  may  be  assigned  them  ; 
&  in  such  a  way  not  only  to  sustain  themselves  by  their  own  merit  & 
exertions,  but  to  deserve  the  esteem  of  those  with  whom  they  may  be 
associated ;  I  will  state  to  Co1  Taylor  your  wishes  as  regards  Judge 
McLean  as  well  as  to  present  him  your  regards —  It  seems  to  me  that 
nothing  more  as  regards  your  seperation  from  your  family  has  occurred 
but  what  you  ought  to  have  expected  in  time  of  war,  &  therefore  should 
not  complain  or  consider  it  a  hardship  ;  if  others  have  been  exempted 
thus  far  from  such  privations  they  have  been  fortunate,  at  the  same  time 


I  Mariano  Paredes  y  Arrillaga  was  born  in  the  City  of  Mexico  in  1797  and  died  there  in  September,  1849.  He  went  into  the 
army  when  a  boy,  was  steadily  advanced,  and  in  1841  was  a  major-general  and  military  governor  of  Jalisco.  With  Bravo  and 
Santa-Anna,  he  conspired  against  the  government  and  when  a  military  dictatorship  had  been  established  under  the  latter,  Parades 
conspired  against  him  and  overthrew  him,  but  failed  to  secure  the  presidency.  In  1846,  however,  he  was  more  successful,  becom 
ing  provisional  president  at  the  beginning  of  that  year.  He  took  no  measures  to  repel  the  American  forces,  even  after  the  defeats 
of  May  8th  and  gth  ;  discontent  followed,  his  troops  revolted,  and  he  was  imprisoned  and  afterward  banished.  He  returned  in 
1847,  was  constantly  engaged  in  political  intrigue,  was  in  hiding  for  several  months,  and  narrowly  escaped  with  his  life.  He  was 
included  in  the  amnesty  of  April,  1849,  and  died  five  months  later. 

33 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

I  would  not  envy  them,  as  in  all  probability  their  time  will  come;  & 
that  before  a  great  while.  The  greatest  difficulty  to  be  encountered  in 
all  this  business  is  the  proper  location  of  families  if  this  could  be  done, 
&  they  were  easy  in  their  circumstances  other  difficulties  might  be  gotten 
over  without  those  who  are  seperated  for  a  few  years  being  entitled  to 
any  great  commiseration —  The  greatest  difficulty  with  regard  to  Ann  is 
to  know  where  it  would  be  best  for  her  to  locate,  the  education  of  the 
children  to  be  considered,  as  you  have  means  sufficient  to  make  her  com 
fortable,  which  is  not  the  case  with  a  great  many  others.  If  she  should 
come  to  Cincinnati  or  New  Port,  the  greatest  difficulty  she  will,  I  appre 
hend  have  to  encounter  will  be  breaking  up  disposing  of  or  removing 
her  little  furniture,  &  hiring  a  house  suited  to  the  comfortable  accommo 
dation  of  herself  &  family  in  addition  to  getting  what  was  necessary  to 
commence  with  ;  the  removing  from  Detroit  to  either  of  the  above  places 
would  be  matter  of  but  little  moment,  as  it  would  be  all  the  way  by 
water,  &  of  course  would  be  attended  with  but  little  trouble  or  fatigue. 
But  under  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case  it  seems  to  me  that  it  would 
be  most  advisable  for  her  to  remain  in  Detroit  until  you  can  join  her,  & 
attend  in  person  to  the  removeal  of  her  &  the  family  to  some  more  desir 
able  position,  &  see  them  well  established.  If  they  go  to  Cincinnati  or 
N.  Port  it  might  be  advis  for  them  to  board  until  you  could  join  them, 
when  you  could  determine  if  it  was  best  to  do  otherwise  &act  accordingly. 

Dr  Foot1  will  be  with  Gen1  Wool  who  I  presume  is  now  at  San 
Antonio  &  of  course  will  be  the  head  of  his  Medical  staff;  the  charge 
of  the  Gen1  Hospital  is  as  independent  position  as  you  can  be  placed  in, 
considering  the  organization  of  the  corps  here  as  regards  rank.  The 
arrangement  of  sending  Dr  Wells  to  Camargo  was  that  of  the  Medical 
director  where  I  considered  the  supplies  ought  to  be  sent,  or  the  greater 
portion  of  them,  I  therefore  made  no  objection  to  the  same.  There  is 
no  intention  that  I  am  aware  of  to  make  you  purveyor. 

It  will  be  desirable  as  soon  as  it  can  be  done,  to  have  a  medical 
officer  stationed  permanently  at  Brazos  Island.  I  consider  an  ass1  neces 
sary  at  Fort  Polk,  &  one  must  be  employed,  if  no  army  surgn  is  dis 
posable —  I  am  aware  that  great  abuses  exist  in  your  dept  &  that  several 

I     Lyman  Foot  was   born   in  Connecticut  and  was   appointed  a   surgeon   mate  in  the  Second  Infantry  August  10,  1818.     He 
became  post  surgeon  in  1829,  assistant  surgeon  in  1810,  major  surgeon  in  1851,  and  died  October  24,  1846. 

34 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

of  the  individuals  referred  to  by  you  ought  to  be  here ;  but  as  we  cannot 
correct  said  abuses,  the  best  plan  is  to  say  but  little  about  them.  The 
letter  you  say  you  inclosed  me  from  Cap1  Graham1  remarking  "  What 
does  it  mean  "  was  not  recd  you  failed  to  inclose  it,  as  you  intended,  or 
you  on  reflection  declined  sending  it —  Majr  Gardner2  had  better  remain 
quiet,  all  cannot  be  gratified.  Rogers  I  much  fear  is  throwing  himself 
away,  he  will  very  soon  unless  he  desists  altogether  from  drink,  not  only 
destroy  his  property  if  he  has  any,  but  will  end  his  mortal  career,  &  the 
sooner  the  better. 

I  recd  the  slip  sent  by  Dr  Mower  taken  from  the  N.  York  Courier 
&  Enquirer  &  thank  him  for  it,  alth°  I  had  previously  seen  it. 

As  to  who  is  retained  in  service  as  Majr  Gen1  much  depends  on  how 
&  when  this  war  is  brought  to  a  close.  I  think  any  administration  will 
find  it  difficult  to  get  clear  of  Gen1  Scott.  And  must  again  remark  that 
I  hope  the  Gen1  will  be  selected  as  the  Whig  candidate  for  the  next 
presidential  term  ;  so  far  as  I  am  concerned  I  wish  to  have  nothing  to 
do  with  that  high  office  ;  &  even  if  I  had  this  is  not  a  proper  time  to 
discuss  the  subject  ;  let  this  war  at  any  rate  be  first  brought  to  a  close  ;  I 
shall  under  no  circumstances  commit  myself  as  regards  the  policy  of  this 
or  that  party  to  gratify  politicians. 

The  papers  are  contrary  to  my  expectations,  the  English  I  mean, 
are  highly  complimentary  as  regards  the  battles  of  the  8th  &  9th  of  May, 
for  which  the  editors  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  our  little  Army.  I 
am  pleased  to  learn  that  Dr  W.  is  satisfied  with  the  arrangement  of  send 
ing  him  to  Comargo,  present  my  regards  to  him. 

Rileys  comd  will  be  too  large  for  one  medical  officer,  &  I  hardly 
suppose  that  Murray  can  be  taken  from  it ;  you  must  look  to  hiring.  It 
was  very  well  to  sent  Witherspoon  to  the  field. 

As  an  accession  of  carpanters  have  been  engaged  by  the  Qr  Master 
at  Fort  Polk,  I  hope  ample  accommodations  for  the  sick  will  very  soon 

1  William  M.  Graham  (1798-1847)  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1817  as  a  lieutenant  of  artillery.     He  became 
lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Eleventh  Infantry  in  April,  1847.     He  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and 
Monterey  under  Taylor  and  then  joined  Scott's  army,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Contreras,  Churubusco,  and  Molino  del  Rey, 
where  he  was  killed  while  leading  a  charge. 

2  John  Lane  Gardner  was   born  in  Boston  August  I,  1793,  and  died  in  Wilmington,  Del.,  February  19,  1869.      He  entered 
the  army  in  1812,  fought  during  the  War  of  1812,  saw  service  on  the  frontier  and  in  Florida,  and  was  reported  to  the  war  department 
as  having  shown  "  the  utmost  activity,  skill,  and  intrepidity  "  at  the  battle  of  Wahoo  Swamp,  November  21,  i8j2.      He  became 
major  in  1845  and  commanded  his  regiment  throughout  the  Mexican  war,  receiving  the  brevets  of  lieutenant-colonel  and  colonel 
for  Cerro  Gordo  and  Contreras.     He  continued  in  the  army,  distinguished  himself  at  the   outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  was  promoted 
colonel,  and  went  on  the  retired  list  in  1862.      In  1865  he   was  brevetted    brigadier-general  "  for  long  and  faithful  service."      He 
was  in  every  respect  a  fine  officer. 

35 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

be  in  readiness  at  that  place  for  a  large  number  as  well  as  any  other 
accommodations  for  their  benefit  &  comfort. 

I  very  much  regret  to  hear  of  Hardees1  sickness,  &  as  he  was 
mending  when  you  wrote  hope  he  will  very  soon  be  able  to  keep  in  the 
saddle.  Governor  Henderson  is  very  much  better,  being  able  to  ride 
about  a  little,  but  is  still  very  weak.  It  was  absolutely  necessary  for 
Dick  to  return,  as  I  did  not  believe  he  could  have  recovered  in  this 
climate  ;  I  would  have  been  much  pleased  could  he  have  remained  with 
or  near  me  to  the  end  of  the  campaign.  I  have  seen  Lc  Raines2  but 
have  not  learned  the  nature  of  the  business  which  brought  him  here. 

I  agree  with  you  that  the  breaking  up  the  2d  Infr  will  be  the  cause 
of  great  distress  as  regards  several  families,  who  must  be  left  quite  desti 
tute  ;  but  this  is  unavoidable,  &  is  the  fate  of  war,  &  the  beauties  and 
comforts  of  a  married  life  in  the  army  ;  your  family  is  very  differently 
situated  being  perfectly  independent  as  regards  all  the  necessaries  of  life 
&  most  of  the  luxuries  ;  for  which  you  ought  to  be  thankful  as  well  as 
reconciled  to  the  situation  in  which  you  are  placed. 

I  was  pleased  to  find  you  had  made  the  acquaintance    of  Co1  Davis^ 

1  William  Joseph  Hardee  was  born  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  about  1817  and  died  in  Wytheville,  Va.,  November  6, 1873.     He  was 
graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1838,  served  in  Florida,  became  a  captain  of  dragoons  and  accompanied  Taylor  across  the 
Rio  Grande.      His  company  was  the  first  to  engage  the  enemy  at  Curricitos,  where  he  was  overwhelmed  and  captured.      Later  he 
was   exchanged,  fought  at    Monterey,  and  was  promoted  major  for   gallantry  March  25,  1847.     At  the  end  of  the  war  he  was 
brevetted  lieutenant-colonel,  and  a  little  later  was  appointed  major  of  the  Second  cavalry,  of  which  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  was 
colonel  and  Robert  E.  Lee  lieutenant-colonel.        For  several  years   he  was  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  Hardee's  Tactics,  or  the 
"  United  States  Rifle  and  Light  Infantry  Tactics,"  which  was  published  in  1856.     With  the  exception  of  one  year,  he  commanded 
the  cadets  at  the  Military  Academy  from  1856  to  1861,  when  he  joined  the  Confederacy  as  a  colonel.     He  was  soon  made  brigadier- 
general.     His  corps  made  the  first  attack  at  Shiloh,  and  he  was  promoted   major-general  for  skill  and  bravery  in  this  action.     At 
Perryville  he  commanded  the  left  wing  and  took  a   conspicuous  part  in   all  the  movements  at  Murfreesboro,  and  was  promoted 
lieutenant-general,  ranking  after  Longstreet.     Hardee  finally  surrendered  at  Durham  Station,  N.  C.,  April  26,  1865,  and  retired  to 
his  plantation  in  Alabama. 

2  Gabriel  James  Rains  (1803-1881)  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1817,  served  on  the  frontiers  and  against  the 
Indians,  distinguished  himself  in  Florida,  where  he  was  severely  wounded,  and  accompanied  General  Taylor  to  Mexico.     He  was 
one  of  the  defenders  of  Fort  Brown,  and  it  is  said  that  when  General  Ampudia  demanded  its  surrender  he  cast  the  deciding  vote  in 
favor  of  holding  on.     After  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma  Captain  Rains  was  sent  to  the  North  on  recruiting  duty  and  organized 
a  large  part  of  the  recruits  for  Scott's  campaign.     After  service  on  the  Pacific  coast  he  resigned  and  joined  the  Confederacy.     He 
led  a  division  at  Wilson's  Creek,  distinguished  himself  at  Shiloh  and  Perrysville,  and  after  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  where  he  was 
wounded,  was  highly  commended  by  General  Hill  for  a  rapid  and  successful  flank  movement  that  turned  the  tide  of  battle.     Rains 
was  then  placed  in  charge  of  the  conscript  and  torpedo  bureaus  at   Richmond.      The  death  of  Brigadier-General  Rains  in   1881 
resulted  from  wounds  received  in  Florida  in  1840. 

3  Jefferson  Davis  was  born  in  that  part  of  Kentucky  which  now  forms  Todd  county,  June  3,  1808,  was  graduated  from  the 
Military  Academy  in  1828,  served  on  the  frontier,  was  advanced  to  first  lieutenant,  resigned  June  30, 1835,  and  having  married 
Sarah  Knox  Taylor,  a  daughter  of  Zachary  Taylor,  then  a  colonel  in  the  army,  settled  near  Vicksburg  and  became  a  cotton  planter. 
His  wife  died  a  year  after  marriage.  In  1843  Mr.  Davis  went  into  politics  and  soon  made  a  reputation  as  a  vigorous  and  popular 
speaker.  He  was  elected  to  congress  in  1844  and  took  a  prominent  part  in  debate.  In  June,  1846,  he  resigned  his  seat  and  became 
colonel  of  the  first  regiment  of  Mississippi  Rifles  and  joined  Taylor  on  the  Rio  Grande.  At  Monterey  he  charged  on  Fort  Lene- 
ria  without  bayonets,  led  his  command  through  the  streets  nearly  to  the  Grand  Plaza  through  a  storm  of  shot,  and  afterwards 
served  on  the  commission  that  arranged  the  surrender  of  the  place.  At  Buena  Vista  his  regiment  was  charged  by  a  Mexican  brig 
ade  of  lancers,  greatly  superior  in  numbers,  in  a  last  desperate  effort  to  break  the  American  lines.  Colonel  Davis  formed  his  men 
in  the  shape  of  the  letter  V,  open  toward  the  enemy,  and  thus  by  exposing  his  foes  to  a  covering  fire,  utterly  routed  them,  though 
he  was  unsupported.  He  was  severely  wounded  and  was  complimented  for  his  coolness  and  gallantry.  In  August,  1847,  he  was 
appointed  to  the  senate  of  the  United  States  to  fill  a  vacancy  and  was  subsequently  elected  by  the  legislature.  He  was  appointed 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  military  affairs  and  was  active  in  the  discussion  of  public  questions.  He  resigned  from  the  senate  in 
1851  to  run  for  governor  of  Mississippi  as  a  state-rights  candidate,  and  was  defeated.  After  the  election  of  Franklin  Pierce  in  1852 
he  became  secretary  of  war,  serving  for  four  years  and  then  going  back  to  the  senate,  from  which  he  retired  January  24,  1861,  the 
legislature  of  his  state  having  passed  a  resolution  of  secession.  On  February  gth  he  was  elected  provisional  president  of  the  Con 
federacy.  It  is  unnecessary  to  sketch  his  career  through  the  Civil  war  and  the  days  of  reconstruction.  He  died  in  New  Orleans 
December  6, 1889. 

36 


LETTERS       OF      Z A C H A R T       TAYLOR 

who  I  presume  fully  understood  the  views  of  the  president  in  relation  to 
Mexican  affairs  &  I  hope  negotiations  will  be  opened  before  a  great 
while  for  bringing  about  a  peace  between  the  two  countries  ;  at  the  same 
time  I  apprehend  our  govt  will  require  vast  amt  of  territo  to  indemnify 
us  on  ace1  of  the  expenditures  of  the  war,  as  well  as  for  spoliations  for  real 
&  pretended  roberies  committed  on  our  commerce  ;  which  will  no  doubt 
be  double  &  treble  awarded  to  certain  claimants  over  &  above  what  they 
ever  lost  by  the  commissioners  who  will  be  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

Shriver1  has  been  ordered  to  Washington  &  not  to  join  his  com 
pany  ;  he  has  been  or  is  to  be  relieved  by  Prentis  ;2  it  is  understood  he 
and  Wool  did  not  agree  very  well. 

I  think  congress  has  been  long  enough  in  session,  &  I  will  be  grati 
fied  to  learn  they  have  adjourned  ;  I  apprehend  there  is  no  danger  of 
W.3  being  superseded  by  Butler*  who  I  understand  is  to  join  me  with 
Majr  Gen1  Patterson.5 

Whenever  the  war  terminates  I  must  remain  in  the  West.  I  did 
not  suppose  Thompson  would  have  desired  to  have  returned  to  the 
Army  after  leaving  as  he  did.  I  am  glad  you  turned  over  the  ten  dol 
lars  to  Cummings.  I  am  constantly  interrupted  while  writing  &  hardly 
know  what  I  have  written. 

Your  Friend  Truly 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD.  Z.  TAYLOR 


I  Edmund  Schriver  (1811-1899)  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1833,  served  in  the  Florida  war,  and  became 
captain  in  the  Second  Artillery  August  17,  1842.  He  went  to  the  Rio  Grande  but  vacated  his  commission  June  18,  1846,  and 
resigned  from  the  army  July  jist.  He  re-entered  the  service  in  1861  and  distinguished  himself  in  the  campaigns  of  the  Shenandoah 
and  Northern  Virginia,  becoming  colonel  and  inspector-general  in  1863.  He  received  the  brevets  of  brigadier-general  and  major- 
general  in  1864  and  1865  and  served  in  various  capacities  till  his  retirement  for  age  in  1881. 

z  James  H.  Prentiss  who  succeeded  Schriver  as  captain  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1830.  He  died  Sep 
tember  22,  1848. 

3  Meaning  General  Wool. 

4  William  Orlando  Butler,  a  grandson  of  Richard  Butler  who  was  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolution,  was  born  in 
Jessimine  county,  Ky.,  in  1791  and  died  in  Carrollton,  Ky.,  August  6,  1880.   He  was  a  law-student  in  1812,  but  dropped  his  books, 
enlisted  in  the  army  as  a  private  and  distinguished  himself  in  many   engagements,  particularly  at   New  Orleans.       He  resigned  in 
1817,  took  up  the  practice  of  law,  served  three  terms  in  the  state  legislature,  was  elected  to  congress  as  a  democrat  in  1839  and  again 
in  1841,  and  in  1844  ran  for  governor  of  Kentucky,  cutting  down  the  whig  majority  from  28,000  to  5,000.     At  the  beginning  of  the 
Mexican  war  he  returned  to  the  army,  was  made  a  major-general  of  volunteers,  and  joined  General  Taylor,  taking  a  prominent 
part  in  the  battles  along  the  Rio  Grande.      He  charged  a  battery  at  Monterey,  was  severely  wounded,  and  was  sent  home.      In 
1847  he  joined  the  army  of  General  Scott  and  was  at  the  capture  of  the  City  of  Mexico.     For  his  bravery  at  Monterey  he  received 
a  sword  of  honor  from  congress  and  one  from  his  own  state.     In  1848  the  democratic  national  convention  nominated  him  for  vice- 
president  on  the  ticket  with  Lewis  Cass.     The  whig  candidates,  General  Taylor  and   Millard  Fillmore,  were  elected.     After  this 
defeat  General  Butler  remained  in  private  life.     His  last  appearance  in  public  was  as  a  member  of  the  peace  congress  which  met  at 
Washington  in  1861. 

5  Robert  Patterson  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1792  and  died  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1881.     His  father  was  engaged  in  the  Irish 
rebellion  of  1798  and  escaped  to  this  country  with  his  son.    The  boy  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  became  a  clerk  in  Phila 
delphia,  enlisted  as  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  War  of  1812,  served  throughout  the  contest,  returned  to  mercantile  life,  was  one  of  the 
five  Colonel  Pattersons  in  the  Pennsylvania  convention  that  nominated  Jackson  for  president,  and  became  a  major-general  of  vol 
unteers  at  the  beginning  of  the  Mexican  war.       He  commanded  his   division  at  Cerro  Gordo  and  led  it  brilliantly.       After  the  war 
he  resumed  business.     At  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war  he  was  the  oldest  major-general  by  commission  in  the  United  States.     On 
the  president's  first  call  for  troops  he  was  mustered  in  as  a   major-general,  but  his  service  was  brief.      He  was  a  popular  speaker, 
one  of  the  largest  mill-owners  in  the  United  States,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Lafayette 
college. 

37 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 


Camargo  Mexico  Aug1  IIth  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  acceptable  &  interesting  letter  of  the  6th  ins1  was  this  moment 
recd  &  I  regret  to  hear  the  weather  has  been  so  wet  &  stormy  at  Point 
Isabel,  which  had  the  effect  of  making  the  sick  &  wounded  much  more 
uncomfortable,  already  enough  so,  than  would  have  been  had  the  weather 
been  more  favorable ;  but  I  hope  the  rainy  season  has  pretty  much 
passed  away,  &  if  the  buildings  for  the  Hospital  at  Fort  Polk  can  be 
once  roofed,  it  is  to  be  hoped  they  will  get  on  much  better  than  has  here 
tofore  been  the  case  ;  it  will  only  be  necessary  to  protect  them  from  the 
effects  of  driving  rains  for  several  months.  A  medical  officer  should  be 
stationed  at  Brasos  Island,  &  besides  attending  to  the  sick  of  Cap1  Por 
ter's  Comd  &  others  entitled  to  medical  aid,  might  act  as  health  officer  so 
far  as  to  prohibit  any  contageous  disease  from  spreading  among  the 
troops  &  laborers  there.  I  consider  it  is  passed  the  time  for  the  arrival 
of  Texan  volunteers,  &  the  sooner  Captain  Wood  &  his  Comd  return 
the  better.  There  are  yet  several  Regts  of  Volunteers  twelve  months 
men  to  arrive  at  Brasos,  two  from  Illinois  &  one  from  Missouri,  if  they 
should  not  be  sent  to  some  other,  which  I  hope  will  be  the  case,  as  we 
have  already  as  many  troops  of  that  description  as  we  can  get  transpor 
tation  for,  &  perhaps  more.  I  flatter  myself  all  the  Louisiana  six  or 
three  months  volunteers  have  gotten  off,  &  the  twelve  months  men  have 
been  all  removed  from  Brasos  to  the  Rio  Grande,  if  so  it  will  be  a  great 
relief  to  the  Qr  M.  dept.  who  will  in  that  case  be  able  to  give  more 
attention  to  having  the  necessary  supplies  sent  here  to  enable  us  to  move 
against  Monterey,  which  are  very  much  behind  hand. 

On  the  subject  of  Grahams  letter  of  the  Louisiana  Volunteers,  it  is 
matter  of  no  moment  let  the  motive  or  intention  be  what  it  may  ;  if 
intended  to  injure  me  in  any  way,  I  can  only  view  it  as  a  squib  or  cracker, 
which  makes  a  momentary  noise,  but  passes  away  afterwards  without 
inflicting  injury  on  any  one,  unless  on  he  who  fires  it,  &  is  immediately 
forgotten  as  if  it  had  never  occurred — 

I  again  must  say  I  am  satisfied  England  &  perhaps  France  particu 
larly  the  first,  will  offer  her  mediation  very  soon  if  she  has  not  already 
done  so,  to  bring  about  a  settlement  of  the  difficulties  now  existing 

38 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

between  this  country  &  Mexico,  but  whether  such  will  be  acceded  to  by 
either  party  time  must  determine  ;  I  apprehend  our  demands  as  regards 
acquisition  of  territory  will  be  pretty  exorbitant,  at  least  I  fear  so,  which 
may  prevent  an  early  settlement  of  the  quarrel ;  but  I  hope  for  the 
best —  As  regards  the  Medical  Corps  I  must  repeat  what  I  have  already 
said,  that  it  is  best  to  bear  without  complaining  many  things  as  regards 
management,  or  mismanagement  which  we  cannot  remedy —  Hawkins 
requires  since  the  removal  of  Roberst1  some  assc  Surgn  to  aid  him  at 
Sl  Josephs,  saying  he  has  over  90  sick  at  that  place  ;  if  so,  none  can 
have  recd 

Craig  is  certainly  pretty  well  broken  down,  &  not  at  all  calculated  to 
be  at  the  head  of  the  depr  in  the  field,  alth°  possessing  many  good  points 
particularly  as  regards  bearing  truth  honor  &  honesty  ;  few  of  which  are 
known  to,  or  are  appreciated  by  Foot,  but  we  must  take  people  as  they 
are,  &  not  as  we  would  make  them —  Co1  Taylor  will  visit  Fort  Polk 
or  Brasos  before  he  comes  up,  &  I  hope  will  be  able  to  take  the  field 
with  us  but  I  think  it  very  doubtful  if  his  health  will  permit —  I  shall 
feel  quite  uneasy  as  regards  Anns  movements  until  I  hear  whether  she 
will  continue  in  Detroit  or  will  go  to  Cincinnati  or  New  Port,  &  if  to 
either  of  the  latter  until  she  is  comfortably  located  ;  I  agree  with  you 
that  it  would  be  most  advisable  for  her  to  board  for  a  time  at  least,  or  at 
any  rate  until  you  can  join  her  with  the  prospect  of  remain  for  a  time  at 
least  at  some  desirable  station.  Good  boarding  at  some  highly  respect 
able  establishment  on  moderate  or  fair  terms  particularly  in  Cincinnati 
where  the  children  could  be  put  to  proper  litirary  establishments — 

I  left  Matamoros  on  the  eving  of  the  4th  inst  &  arrived  here  on  the 
night  of  the  7th  by  steam  boat,  without  accident  other  than  breaking  our 
rudder  which  took  a  day  &  a  half  to  repair.  I  found  the  troops  in  toler 
able  health  who  had  preced  me,  who  where  encamped  along  the  bank  of 
the  river  San  Juan  near  the  town  of  Camargo  which  had  been  nearly 
destroyed  by  a  most  extraordinary  freshet  which  occurred  the  latter  of 
June  ;  here  we  are  collecting  &  have  succeeded  in  getting  in  depot  a 
large  supply  of  provisions  but  there  is  a  great  deficiency  of  forage  tools 
&  many  other  articles  belonging  to  Qr  M.  depr  as  well  as  a  great  defici- 


i     For  William  Roberts,  who  was  born  in  Georgia,  became  an  assistant  surgeon  in  the  army   December  ji,  1845,  and  died 
October  13,1847,  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Molino  del  Rey. 

39 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

ency  in  the  ordnance  dep'  both  of  which  I  hope  will  be  remedied  in  a 
very  short  time  by  sending  forward  ample  supplies  of  both  as  there  is 
now  no  want  of  transportation  on  the  Rio  Grande  at  this  time  ;  some  of 
the  most  common  material  I  absolutely  want  was  in  the  Qr  M.  dep' 
which  I  have  been  urging  the  officers  to  have  put  in  depo  for  the  last  two 
months  without  success  such  as  horse  shoes  &  horse  shoe  nails,  which  are 
absolutely  necessary  to  enable  us  to  move —  As  soon  as  they,  with  the 
ordnance  &  ordnance  expected  here  with  Majr  Craig  get  up  I  shall  at 
once  prepare  to  take  the  field,  &  hope  to  have  about  6000  men  by  the 
first  of  Sepf  for  Monterey  if  not  disappointed  by  the  officers  of  the  two 
depts  refferred  to,  but  have  great  apprehensions  as  regards  the  energies  & 
arrangements  as  regards  the  officers  attached  to  both  in  those  respects — 
L£  McNest  of  the  ordnance  dep'  reached  Matamoros  a  day  or  two  before 
I  left  there  but  did  not  come  by  the  way  of  Fort  Polk,  as  I  am  disposed 
to  believe  he  was  rather  affraid  he  would  be  detained  ;  I  directed  him  to 
go  to  the  Point  &  report  to  Majr  Craig  who  was  there,  which  he  did  not 
seem  very  much  to  relish  ;  &  I  presume  he  will  very  much  dislike  to 
relieve  Ramsey,  which  I  presume  he  will  be  directed  to  do —  The  troops 
are  concentrating  here  pretty  fast,  I  expect  the  whole  of  the  regulars  with 
the  exception  of  Websters  &  Taylors  Comps  will  be  here  by  the  2Oth  & 
they  as  soon  after  as  the  horses  for  their  batteries  arrive  to  enable  them 
commence  their  march  for  this,  which  I  hope  is  the  case  by  this  time  if 
not  before —  I  presume  there  will  be  at  least  by  the  last  of  the  month 
three  or  four  thousand  of  the  twelve  months  volunteers  here —  Co1 
Johnstons1  Texas  Volunteers,  a  part  of  which  got  here  day  before  yester 
day,  I  apprehend  will  most  of  them  disband  themselves  in  a  few  days, 
very  much  to  his  mortification  ;  &  it  is  possible  the  mounted  men  from 


i  Albert  Sidney  Johnston,  a  soldier  of  remarkable  ability,  was  born  in  Washington,  Mason  county,  Ky.,  February  3,  1803, 
and  died  on  the  field  of  Shiloh,  near  Pittsburg  Landing,  Tenn.,  April  6,  l86z.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in 
1816,  was  assigned  to  the  infantry,  and  served  till  1834,  when  he  resigned.  He  served  with  great  credit  in  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
and  for  a  short  time  after  leaving  the  army  was  a  farmer  near  St.  Louis.  But  in  August,  1836,  he  joined  the  Texas  patriots,  entering 
the  army  as  a  private.  His  great  ability  caused  his  rapid  promotion  and  he  was  soon  at  the  head  of  the  army.  In  1838  President 
Lamar  of  the  republic  of  Texas  made  him  secretary  of  war  and  he  conducted  a  remarkable  campaign  against  the  Indians.  When 
the  Mexican  war  began  he  joined  the  army  under  General  Taylor  as  colonel  of  the  First  Texas  Rifles.  This  regiment  was  soon 
disbanded,  but  he  continued  in  service,  was  inspector-general  of  Butler's  division  at  the  battle  of  Monterey,  and  was  recommended 
for  promotion  to  brigadier-general  but  was  set  aside  for  political  reasons.  General  Taylor  said  he  was  the  best  soldier  he  ever 
commanded.  After  the  war  Johnston  went  to  his  farm,  where  he  remained  in  poverty  and  neglect  till  1849,  when  President  Tay 
lor  appointed  him  a  paymaster  in  the  army.  He  served  as  such  for  five  years.  In  1855  he  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  Second 
(now  Fifth)  cavalry,  a  new  regiment,  which  he  organized.  Robert  E.  Lee  was  lieutenant-colonel  and  George  H.  Thomas  and 
William  J.  Hardee  were  the  majors.  General  Scott  called  Johnston's  appointment  "  a  god-send  to  the  army  and  the  country." 
In  i8;y  Johnston  conducted  a  remarkable  campaign  against  the  Mormons  and  received  the  brevet  of  brigadier-general.  He  was  a 
Union  man  from  both  principle  and  interest ;  he  thought  the  South  had  a  grievance  but  that  secession  was  not  the  remedy  ;  never 
theless  he  went  with  his  state,  resigned  from  the  Union  army,  journeyed  from  California  to  Virginia,  and  was  put  in  command  by 
the  Confederate  authorities  of  all  the  territory  west  of  the  Atlantic  states  and  north  of  the  Gulf  states.  The  battle  of  Shiloh,  in 
which  he  lost  his  life,  soon  followed. 

40 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

the  same  state  will  do  so  likewise  ;  this  will  not  prevent  me  from  march 
ing  on  Monterey  as  soon  as  the  Qr  M.  &  Ordnance  depts  can  give  me 
the  means  to  enable  me  to  do  so  with  the  slightest  prospect  of  success. 
The  country  expects  this  army  to  attempt  something  &  there  shall  be  no 
disappointment  so  far  as  I  am  concerned —  There  has  been  much  rain 
here  for  some  time  past,  but  the  weather  is  now  fine  with  the  exception 
of  being  very  hot  &  has  been  for  several  days,  &  the  roads  pretty  good, 
so  much  so  was  all  ready  we  could  take  up  the  line  of  march  for  the 
interior  tomorrow —  We  have  no  news  of  interest  from  any  quarter  ; 
the  boat  is  wating  to  go  below  &  I  do  not  wish  to  detain  her  ;  I  write  in 
great  haste,  &  hardly  know  what  I  have  written  &  doubt  your  being  able 
to  make  it  out — but  you  must  take  it  for  what  it  is  worth — 

Your  Friend 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD  U.  S.  A.  Z.  TAYLOR 


Camargo  Mexico  Augt  19th  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  acceptable  letter  of  the  9th  ins1  was  duly  recd  for  which  you 
have  my  sincere  thanks.  The  mail  by  the  N.  York  referred  to  by  you, 
was  duly  recd  here,  but  brought  nothing  of  interest ;  the  paper  mail 
brought  by  her  arrived  here  day  before  yesterday  from  which  I  have 
gleaned  but  little  of  moment.  Two  of  the  gen1  officers  referred  to  by 
you,  who  came  over  in  the  New  York,  reached  here  several  days  since,  to 
wit,  Mess"  Pillow1  &  Quitman,2  the  latter  a  gentleman  of  intelligence, 
of  large  fortune  long  a  Gen1  Officer  of  militia  from  the  state  of  Missis- 

1  Gideon  Johnson  Pillow  was  born  in  Williamson  county,  Tenn.,  June  8,  1806,  and  died  in  Lee  county,  Ark.,  October  6, 
1878.      He  was  graduated  from  the  University  of"  Nashville  in  1827,  became  prominent  at  the  bar  and  in  politics,  aided  in  the  nomi 
nation  and  election  of  his  neighbor,  James  K.  Polk,  to   the   presidency,  and   was  appointed   brigadier-general  in  command  of  the 
Tennessee  volunteers  in  the  Mexican  war.     He  served  for  a  time  with  Taylor  on  the  Rio  Grande  and  then  joined  Scott,  taking  an 
active  part  in  the  various  battles  that  preceded  the  fall  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  was  twice  severely  wounded.     After  the  peace  he 
resumed  the  practice  of  law  in  Tennessee  and  in  1861  was  appointed  a  major-general   in  the  provisional  army  of  the  state  of  Ten 
nessee.     A  little  later  he  became  a  brigadier-general  in  the  Confederacy.     He  was  second  in  command  under  Floyd  at  Fort  Donel- 
son,  declined  to  assume  the  chief  command  and  surrender  the  forces,  and  successfully  made  his  escape.     He  was  then  relieved  from 
command  and  did  not  take  a  prominent  part  in  the  subsequent  fighting. 

2  John  Anthony  Quitman  was  born  in  Rhinebeck,  N.  Y.,  September  I,  1799,  and  died  in  Natchez,  Miss.,  July  17,  1858.     He 
received  a  classical  education,  went  to  Mississippi  in  1821,  became  prominent  in  politics  and  educational  work,  served  as  chancel 
lor  of  the  state,  as  president  of  the  senate,  and  as  acting  governor,  and  in  1836    raised  a  body  of  troops  to  aid  the  Texans.       After 
the  capture  of  Santa-Anna  he  returned  to  Mississippi  and  was  appointed  major-general  of  the  state  militia.     In  1846  he  was  made 
a  brigadier-general  in  the  army  of  the  United  States  and  was  ordered  to  join  General  Taylor  at  Camargo.     He  distinguished  him 
self  in  the  battle  of  Monterey  and  then  joined  General  Scott.       For  his   services  in  the  capture  of  Puebla  he  was  brevetted  major- 
general  and  received  a  sword  from  congress.      He  stormed  the  formidable  works  at   Chapultepee,  carried  the  Belen  gate  by  assault, 
and  was  appointed  governor  of  the  City  of  Mexico  by  General  Scott.     His  administration  was   moderate  and  wise  and  on  General 


.ight 

extreme  Southern  party. 

41 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

sippi ;  the  former  a  lawyer  with  much  to  learn  as  regards  his  new  pro 
fession  ;  when  they  all  arrive  there  will  be  too  much  rank  I  apprehend  to 
get  along  with,  very  pleasantly.  The  wounded  who  have  &  may  get 
pension  certificates,  I  will  direct  the  Qr  Master  at  Fort  Polk  or  Brasos 
Island,  to  give  them  every  facility  which  can  be  done  by  the  depc  to 
enable  them  to  reach  their  homes,  which  I  presume  he  would  do  without 
any  direction  or  orders  in  regard  to  the  same. 

I  was  glad  to  hear  that  Dick  had  reached  N.  Orleans  in  safety  ; 
Gen1  Quitman  informed  me  he  left  or  saw  him  there,  &  that  his  health 
was  much  improved ;  he  also  informed  me  that  Gen1  Butler  called  at 
Baton  Rouge  to  see  Mrs  Taylor,  &  that  Betty  was  too  unwell  to  leave 
her  room,  so  that  he  did  not  see  her.  I  got  no  letter  from  B.  Rouge  by 
the  N.  York.  Beatties1  sickness  accounts  for  it.  This  has  given  me 
much  uneasiness  ;  &  I  shall  be  miserable  until  I  hear  from  her.  The 
Alabama  I  hope  is  in  by  this  time,  if  so  I  trust  I  shall  receive  something 
by  her  to  allay  my  apprehensions  in  regard  to  her  situation.  The 
recruits  brought  on  by  Ll  Blair2  with  the  exception  of  the  sick  were 
brought  to  Matamoros  &  distributed  among  the  cops  of  artillery  for  the 
the  most  part  left  at  that  place ;  I  flatter  myself  the  sick  will  be  taken 
care  of  some  where.  I  hope  you  have  accommodations  sufficient  by  this 
time  to  accommodate  all  the  sick  which  has  or  may  be  sent  to  Fort  Polk, 
&  will  have  them  taken  care  of  as  far  as  it  is  possible  to  do  so.  The  whole 
country  will  be  filled  with  sick  volunteers  &  in  many  instances  without 
suitable  accommodations,  &  I  greatly  fear  many  of  them  will  suffer  for 
want  of  many  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  as  well  as  for  medical  advice — 
all  things  considered  there  are  a  great  scarcity  of  medical  officers,  in  pro 
portion  to  the  number  of  raw  troops,  when  we  take  into  consideration 
the  climate  &c ;  besides  which,  many  of  the  Medical  Officers  recently 
appointed  &  attached  to  the  Volunteers  to  say  the  least  of  them  are 
entirely  without  experience  as  regards  their  duties  in  the  field ;  but  I 
hope  those  of  the  regular  army  will  do  all  in  their  power  to  alleviate  the 
sufferings  of  that  portion  they  may  have  to  do  with,  or  can  administer  to, 
who  may  fall  in  their  way,  no  matter  where  they  belong.  It  is  reported 


1  Meaning  his  daughter  Mary  Elizabeth,  always  referred  to  in  these  letters  as  Betty. 

2  William  B.  Blair  was  born  in  Virginia,  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1838,  became  first  lieutenant  in  1840, 
received  the  brevet  of  captain  in  1847  for  gallant  conduct  at  Cerro  Gordo,  and  resigned  from  the  army  in  1861. 

42 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

here  that  a  part  of  the  2d  InfV  had  reached  Brasos  Island  ;  but  how  such 
a  report  originated  or  on  what  foundation  made,  I  am  unable  to  say  ;  but 
I  hope  it  may  be  true. 

Perhaps  Anns  views  on  the  subject  of  your  remaining  here  under 
the  contingencies  named,  may  be  correct.  If  she  was  pleasantly  located 
&  satisfied  with  the  same  her  views  would  be  certainly  correct,  &  may  be 
so  under  existing  circumstances. 

I  was  never  sanguine  as  to  Johns  rec&  the  appc  in  question,  my 
experien  in  such  matters  has  satisfied  me  that  favors  of  that  kind  are  only 
given  to  the  faithful ;  &  if  departed  from,  it  is  but  seldom,  &  then  under 
very  peculiar  circumstances.  If  the  appf  is  not  given  John  must  turn 
his  attention  to  something  else  ;  at  any  rate  after  graduating  at  some  of 
our  respectable  literary  institutions  ;  he  should  not  despond,  but  on  the 
contrary  redouble  his  exertions  in  such  a  way  as  to  enable  him  to  get 
through  the  world  without  the  patronage  of  public  or  private  individuals. 
I  presume  the  party  in  power  is  indebted  to  D.  J.  Pearce1  for  some  dis 
reputable  transaction  which  Mr  P.  intends  liquidating  by  giving  his  grand 
son  an  app'  at  West  point ;  so  we  go.  If  seperated  from  your  family, 
as  you  correctly  say,  were  they  satisfied  with  their  position,  it  would  be 
somewhat  of  a  matter  of  indifference  as  to  your  position  so  it  was  healthy. 

The  go'  paper  denies  that  the  object  of  assembling  twenty  post 
Capts  at  Washington  was  to  consult  &  decide  on  the  propriety  of  attack 
ing  the  castle  of  San  Juan,  near  Very  Cruz  ;  but  that  paper  is  doubtful 
authority,  as  I  understand  its  Ser  Editor  says  that  England  has  never 
offered  her  mediations  or  good  offices  to  bring  about  a  reconciliation 
between  the  U.  States  &  Mexico,  while  Sir  R.  Peel  states  distinctly  in  his 
able  speech  in  parliament  on  retiring  from  office  that  she  had  done  so. 
I  fear  there  will  be  no  end  to  this  war  in  any  reasonable  time,  &  that  it 
will  be  carried  on  with  a  view  to  conquest,  with  the  expection  if  success 
ful  it  will  secure  Mr  Polks  reeliction,  which  in  my  mind  will  be  the  case 
in  that  event,  so  that  I  think  it  is  now  &  will  be  carried  on  for  that  object 
&  not  so  much  to  conquer  a  peace — 

I  have  commenced  to-day  throwing  in  advance  toward  Monterey  an 
other  depot  at  a  point  60  miles  from  here ;  Gen1  Worth  leaves  today  with 

I  Dutee  Jerauld  Pearce  (1789-1849)  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island  and  an  eminent  member  of  the  Newport  bar.  He  served 
many  years  in  the  state  legislature,  was  attorney-general  from  1819  to  1825,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Federal  house  of  representa 
tives  from  i8zgtoi849.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics. 

43 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

about  1000  pack  mules  &  some  waggons  with  160,000  rations  for  Sur- 
ralvo  to  be  escorted  &  protected  until  I  can  join  him  with  eight  Comp3 
of  artillery,  the  8th  Infy  &  Duncans  battery  of  artillery,  as  soon  as  the  train 
returns  which  I  expect  will  be  in  ten  days,  I  hope  to  be  ready  to  leave 
with  what  force  I  shall  carry  to  Monterey,  say  about  six  thousand  men, 
&  if  I  meet  no  resistance  at  that  place  shall  pass  on  to  Saltillo,  about 
seventy  miles  further  in  the  interior  which  if  I  can  reach  &  take  possession 
of,  I  intend  throwing  up  a  strong  field  work,  &  if  there  is  flour  or  Indian 
corn  in  the  country  will  establish  a  large  depot  &  bring  forward  as  large 
a  number  of  volunteers  as  can  be  supported  there,  &  then  act  as  in  my 
judgement  the  best  interest  of  the  country  may  warrant.  I  apprehend 
great  dissatisfaction  on  the  part  of  the  volunteers  when  I  leave  here  as  to 
those  who  are  to  remain  behind,  as  they  are  all,  the  officers,  anxious  to 
go  to  lead  as  it  were  the  advance,  or  the  forlorn  hope,  at  least  so  they 
say.  But  I  may  be  disappointed  by  the  Qr  M.  Dep'  the  ordnance  or 
medical  dept*  as  regards  my  leaving  ;  none  of  which  are  over  efficient  or 
rather  their  heads —  For  the  last  three  months  I  have  be  trying  to  get 
a  supply  of  horse  shoes  &  nails,  &  up  to  this  moment  not  one  has  been 
furnished,  nor  can  we  possibly  move  without  them  as  the  road  over 
which  we  have  to  march  beyond  this  is  covered  with  sharp  rocks  or  stone 
and  the  day  we  commenced  Fort  Brown,  the  chief  of  the  ordnance  dep£ 
was  directed  to  require  a  number  of  12  pounders  on  traveling  carriages, 
not  one  of  which  has  reached  their  place  of  destination  or  even  so  far  as 
I  know  have  they  been  heard  from. 

The  numerous  Steam  Boats  on  the  river  are  doing  but  very  little  ; 
they  are  about  twice  as  long  in  making  their  trips  from  the  mouth  of  the 
river  to  this  place  as  they  should  be,  &  when  they  get  here  have  very 
little  in  them.  It  will  be  a  long  time  before  the  volunteers  get  here  the 
way  they  are  going  on.  My  love  to  dear  Ann  &  the  children  when  you 
write,  as  well  as  best  respects  to  all  inquiring  friends  &  accept  my  sincere 
wishes  for  the  continued  health  &  prosperity  of  you  &  yours  through  life. 

Your  Friend 

Truly 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD,  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  Army 

Fort  Polk  Texas. 

44 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


Comargo  Mexico  Augf  23d  1846. 
My  dear  Dr 

Your  several  letters  of  the  i  ith  15th  &  iyth  ins1  have  all  been  recd  the 
contract  in  the  case  of  the  Surgn  employed,  has  been  signed  by  Dr  Craig 
&  appd  by  me,  &  will  be  forwarded  by  the  Dr—  An  order  was  given 
before  I  left  Matamoros  to  provide  large  accommodation  for  the  sick,  & 
an  order  was  given  some  days  since  to  leave  all  the  sick  volunteers  at 
Metamoros  which  orders  &  arrangements  I  had  hoped,  in  addition  to 
what  accommodations  you  could  furnish  at  Fort  Polk,  would  have  met 
the  wants  of  the  sick,  which  as  a  matter  of  course  must  be  very  numer 
ous  ;  &  humanity  as  well  as  duty  ought  to  prompt  us  to  do  all  in  our 
power  to  alleviate  their  sufferings  as  much  as  possible.  As  I  learn  the 
yellow  fever  has  made  its  appearance  in  N.  Orleans,  through  which  it 
would  not  be  proper  to  send  the  volunteers  while  such  was  the  case  who 
might  leave  the  army  on  ace'  of  feeble  or  broken  dow  health,  such  ought 
to  remain  here  or  in  the  country  until  there  is  no  danger  from  that  con- 
tageous  disease,  as  most  of  them  have  to  pass  through  that  place  on  their 
way  to  their  homes.  I  hope  an  abundant  supply  of  every  thing  in  the 
way  of  medicine,  hospital  &c  have  &  will  be  sent  out,  so  as  there  will  be 
no  just  complaints  on  that  ground  ;  so  far  as  my  authority  would  go  in 
the  way  of  orders,  ample  provisions  have  been  made  for  the  sick.  Dr 
Craig  has  not  been  cramped  in  regard  to  hiring  houses,  physicians  or  any 
thing  els  to  make  the  sick  comfortable  at  Matamoros  ;  I  have  done  all  I 
could  in  the  matter. 

We  have  had  a  large  accession  of  Militia  Genls  recently  in  addition 
to  Pillow  &  Quitman,  Majr  Gen1  Butler  &  Brs  Hamer1  &  Shields2  have 

1  Thomas  L.  Hamer  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  took  up  his  residence  in  Ohio,  served  in  the  state 
legislature,  and  was  elected  to  the  Federal  house  of  representatives  in  1832,  1834,  and   1836.      While  a  member  of  congress  he 
appointed  U.  S.  Grant  to  be  a  cadet  at  the  Military  Academy.     Mr.  Hamer  served  in  the  Mexican  war,  volunteering  as  a  private, 
but  soon  receiving  the  commission  of  a  brigadier-general.      In  his  "Memoirs"   General  Grant  says:     "Among  the  troops  that 
joined  us  at  Matamoros  was  an  Ohio  regiment  of  which  Thomas  L.  Hamer,  the  member  of  congress  who  had  given  me  my  appoint 
ment  to  West  Point,  was  major.     He  told  me  then  that  he  could  have  had  the  colonelcy,  but  that  as  he  knew  he  was  to  be  appointed 
a  brigadier-general  he  preferred  at  first  to  take  the  lower  grade.      I  have  said  before  that  Hamer  was  one  of  the  ablest  men  Ohio 
ever  produced.       Ai  that  time  he  was  in  the  prime  of  life,  being  less   than  50  years  of  age,  and  possessed  an  admirable  physique, 
promising  long  life.       But  he  was  taken  sick  before  Monterey,  and  died  within  a  few  days.       I  have   always   believed  that  had  his 
life  been  spared,  he  would  have  been  president  of  the  United  States  during  the  term  filled  by  President  Pierce.       Had  Hamer  filled 
that  office  his  partiality  for  me  was  such,  there  is  but  little  doubt  I  should  have  been  appointed  to  one  of  the  staff  corps  of  the  army 
— the  pay  department,  probably — and  would  therefore  now  be  preparing  to  retire.    Neither  of  these  speculations  is  unreasonable,  and 
they  are  mentioned  to  show  how  little  men  control  their  own  destiny.' 

2  James  Shields  was  born  in  Dungannon,  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  in  1810  and   died  in   Ottumwa,  Iowa,  June  I,  1879.       He 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1826,  studied  law,  began  practice  in  Illinois  in  1832,  was  sent  to  the  legislature  in    1836,  elected  state 
auditor  in  1839,  appointed  a  judge  of  the  state  Supreme  court  in  1843,  and  was  made  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office  in  1845. 
On  the  outbreak  of  the  Mexican  war  he  was  appointed  a  brigadier-general   and  served  under   General  Taylor  on  the    Rio  Grande, 
under  General  Wool  in  Chihuahua,  and  under  General  Scott  in  the  valley  of  Mexico  and  showed  himself  a  fine  soldier.     He  is  the 
only  man  in  the  history  of  the  United  States  who  has  represented  three  different  states  in  the  Federal  senate.      He  was  elected  in 
Illinois  in  1849,  in  Minnesota  in  1858,  and  in  Missouri  in  1879.     At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  General  Shields  was  appointed 
a  brigadier-general  of  volunteers  and  served  as  such  for  two  years. 

45 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

just  arrived,  the  latter  returns  immediately  to  his  camp,  the  Illinois  vol 
unteers,  near  the  mouth  of  the  river,  &  Br  Gen1  Marshall1  is  expected  by 
the  first  boat  from  below ;  so  there  will  be  no  lack  of  Genl8  I  could 
have  myself  wished  they  had  not  been  quite  so  numerous  ;  the  Volun 
teers  are  with  the  exception  of  one  Reg'  are  all  here  or  below  &  there  is 
doubts  whether  that  Reg'  will  come  or  not. 

It  seems  to  me  had  Ann  been  satisfied  with  her  position  Detroit,  it 
would  have  been  well  for  her  to  have  continued  there  until  you  could 
have  joined  her,  as  breaking  up  &  removing  is  generally  attended  with 
considerable  expense ;  but  you  done  right  in  leaving  it  entirely  to  her  to 
leave  or  remain  as  she  thought  best.  I  regretted  to  learn  that  she  had 
changed  her  mind  on  the  subject  of  your  going  out  for  a  short  time,  & 
then  returning  as  I  considered  the  conclusions  she  arrived  at  in  the 
instance,  were  very  judicious.  At  Buffalo  no  doubt  you  had  every  thing 
very  comfortable,  as  much  so  as  could  have  been  desired,  but  I  see  no 
reason  why  that  should  not  again  be  case  ;  I  consider  it  a  great  misfor 
tune  to  be  always  looking  at  the  dark  side  of  the  picture  of  life  or  to  be 
anticipating  evils  or  misfortunes — 

It  is  unnecessary  to  animadvert  on  the  Qr  Masters  dep1  the  system 
is  certainly  a  bad  one,  &  a  large  portion  of  its  officers  feeble,  &  would 
be  so  in  any  relations  of  life,  but  which  is  more  apparent  in  their  present 
positions,  which  requires  so  much  energy  &  decision  than  in  many  other 
profession  or  pursuit.  Should  I  ever  get  away  from  here  which  I  hope 
to  do  about  the  fifth  of  next  month  I  shall  be  very  deficient  in  transpor 
tation  to  what  it  should  have  been  ;  but  I  must  attempt  something ;  we 
have  been  idle  too  long  &  we  must  move  on  Monterey  be  the  conse 
quences  what  they  may — 

I  fear  the  enemy  will  not  fight  us  for  Monterey,  or  in  force  any 
where  else  unless  we  penetrate  far  beyond  there  or  Saltillo ;  I  believe  a 
gen1  battle  if  we  beat  them  which  I  will  not  permit  myself  to  doubt, 
would  do  more  to  bring  about  a  peace,  than  any  thing  else  ;  my  greatest 
apprehensions  are  that  they  will  avoid  us  in  force,  attempt  to  harrass  us 
in  small  parties,  attack  our  trains,  attempting  to  cut  off  our  suplies  at 


I  Thomas  Marshall  was  born  in  Mason  county,  Ky.,  April  IJ,  1793,  and  died  in  Lewis  county,  Ky.,  March  28,  1835.  He 
received  the  appointment  of  brigadier-general  of  volunteers  from  President  Polk  at  the  beginning  of  the  Mexican  war  and  com 
manded  the  Kentucky  volunteers  under  General  Wool.  After  his  return  to  Kentucky  he  was  murdered  by  a  tenant  at  his  home 
in  Lewis  county. 


46 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TATLOR 

favorable  positions,  destroy  the  corn,  &  drive  away  the  stock  ;  in  which 
cas  we  would  have  to  fall  back  on  our  supplies  near  to  our  depots  on  the 
water ;  all  of  which  cannot  be  ascertained  without  marching  into  the 
their  country.  A  report  has  reached  here,  &  generally  believed  that  a 
recent  revolution  had  taken  place  in  Mexico,  which  had  resulted  in  the 
overthrow  of  the  govf  of  Perades  by  what  are  termed  the  Federal  party, 
that  his  army  had  revolted,  made  him  prisoner,  &  delivered  him  into  the 
hands  of  his  opponents.  Even  if  the  report  be  true  it  is  doubtful 
whether  or  not  the  change  will  be  a  favorable  one  to  us,  in  the  way  of 
setling  the  difficulties  between  the  two  countries  ;  the  party  coming  into 
power  may  be,  &  probaly  are  more  hostile  towards  us  than  the  one  just 
put  down  &  may  carry  on  their  operation  towards  us  with  more  energy  & 
ability  than  their  predecessors;  but  time  will  develop  most  if  not  all  things — 

No  one  can  desire  peace  more  than  I  do,  or  can  be  more  anxious 
for  quiet,  &  the  enjoyment  of  domestic  life,  &  notwithstanding  the 
honors  which  have  been  conferred  on  me,  which  are  very  great,  they  do 
not  compensate  for  the  privations,  which  I  am  subjected  to,  &  I  would 
willingly  forego  them  all,  could  peace  be  restored  to  our  country.  It  is 
principal  alone  keeps  me  here,  &  alth°  peace  between  the  two  countries 
appears  to  be  as  distant  as  ever,  yet  I  feel  bound  to  forego  under  the 
circumstances  in  which  I  have  been  placed,  every  other  consideration  & 
to  carry  on  the  war  until  brought  to  a  close,  or  the  gov1  may  think 
proper  to  have  me  relieved — 

Gen1  T.1  is  quite  uncertain  in  his  friendships,  he  is  a  man  that  one 
should  never  place  himself  in  the  power  of;  alth°  all  things  considered  I 
was  gratified  at  his  promotion. 

The  case  of  Graham  needs  no  further  notice  even  if  actuated  by 
enmity  or  unfriendly  feelings,  which  I  have  no  right  to  believe  is  the 
case.  I  have  just  recd  a  letter  from  Dick  from  B.  Rouge  dated  the  5th 
msc  he  says  his  own  health  was  not  improved,  mother  &  Betty  well. 
Mr  Reeder  had  no  despatches  for  me,  other  than  a  letter  of  introduction 
from  Govr  Johnson  ;2  he  brought  out  several  medals  voted  by  a  commit- 


i     Probably  General  Twiggs. 

z  Henry  Johnson  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1783  and  died  in  Louisiana  in  1864.  He  was  a  lawyer,  became  judge  of  a  par 
ish  court  in  Louisiana,  served  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States  from  1818  to  1824,  was  governor  of  Louisiana  from  1814  to  1828, 
served  in  the  Federal  house  of  representatives  from  1834  to  1839,  and  was  in  the  senate  from  1844  till  1849. 

47 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

tee  in  N.  Orleans  to  certain  non  commd  officers  for  their  gallant  conduct 
in  the  battles  of  the  8th  &  9th — 

Your  views  &  opinions  in  regard  to  Saunders1  coincide  pretty  much 
with  my  own.  He  is  a  complete  party  politician  &  belongs  to  the  most 
unscrupulous  sect,  that  every  existed,  who  are  entirely  actuated  by  per 
sonal  &  selfish  considerations,  in  which  he  goes  the  whole  length,  &  his 
views  and  statements  so  far  as  prominent  political  men,  or  aspirents  to 
the  presidency  are  concerned,  should  be  treated  with  due  allowances,  & 
with  great  caution  &  circumspection.  I  regret  between  ourselves  he 
returned  to  the  army. 

Gen1  Scott  is  a  man  of  strong  impulses,  both  writes  &  speaks  with 
great  flipancy  &  frequently  without  due  reflection  as  regards  both,  which 
has  gotten  him  into  many  serious  scrapes  ;  but  he  means  well  on  all  occa 
sions  &  is  entirely  mistaken  if  he  supposes  I  am  unfriendly  to  him,  in 
the  slightest  manner  possible,  the  reverse  being  the  case.  I  very  much 
regret  to  hear  Co1  Croghan2  had  come  out  as  I  fear  he  will  expect  me  to 
take  care  of  him  &  there  are  people  enough  of  that  description  already 
here  ;  at  any  rate  to  embarrass  me  not  a  little ;  I  learn  he  has  been  in  a 
tremendous  frolic  but  will  get  sober  before  he  gets  here  &  will,  1  expect, 
keep  so,  while  he  remains  with  me.  I  have  not  had  time  to  read  a  paper 
but  learn  Mr  McCoysS  or  Walkers*  tariff  bill  has  become  a  law  ;  this  I 
regret  as  I  am  satisfied  they  will  need  every  cent  they  can  raise  in  that 
way  as  long  as  this  war  lasts.  I  presume  its  effects  without  being  bene 
ficial,  will  hardly  be  injurious  to  the  cotton  planters  ;  this  consideration 
had  no  importance  or  influence  as  regards  my  opinion  in  the  matter.  I 
am  pleased  to  find  you  are  keeping  up  a  friendly  correspondence  with 
Dr  Mower  from  whose  position  &  intelligence  much  information  may  be 
derived  from  an  epistolary  correspondence  ;  &  I  think  the  Dr's  remarks 


I  Probably  Franklin  Saunders,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1837  and 
resigned  from  the  army  in  the  following  year.  He  became  captain  of  the  First  Kentucky  volunteers  May  30,  1846,  and  was 
mustered  out  a  year  later. 

z  George  Croghan  (1791-1849)  entered  the  army  in  1811  and  distinguished  himself  for  his  bravery  and  vigilance,  particularly 
when  he  conducted  the  memorable  defence  of  Fort  Stephenson  at  Lower  Sandusky.  He  was  advanced  to  lieutenant-colonel  and 
received  a  gold  medal  from  congress.  He  resigned  in  1817,  became  postmaster  of  New  Orleans  in  1824  and  was  appointed  inspec 
tor-general  with  the  rank  of  colonel  in  1825.  In  1846  he  joined  Taylor's  army  and  served  with  credit  in  the  battle  of  Monterey. 

3  James  J.  McKay  (1793-1853)  served  as  United   States  attorney  and  in  the  legislature  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  then 
elected  to  the  Federal  house  of  representatives,  in  which  he  was  prominent  from  1831  to  1849.     As  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
ways  and  means  in  the  first  session  of  the  twenty-ninth  congress  (April  14,  1846)  he  introduced  a  bill  revising  the  tariff. 

4  Robert  J.  Walker  was  born  in  Northumberland,  Pa.,  July  23,  1801,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  removed  to  Mississippi,  and 
represented  that  state  in  the  Federal  senate  from  1836  to  1845,  when  he  resigned  to  become  secretary  of  the  treasury  in  the  cabinet 
of  President  Polk.     He  served  as  such  throughout  Polk's  administration,  and  he  took   a  leading  part  in  framing  the  tariff  act  of 
1846,  a  democratic  measure  which  superseded  the  whig  tariff  of  1842  and  established  a   much  lower  rate  of  duty  on  manufactured 
articles.     It  remained  in  force  for  eleven  years  and  the  system  it  established  was  continued  to  the  time  of  the  Civil  war. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

in  relation  to  leaving  in  part  at  least  judicious.  Nor  ought  such  to  be 
alluded  to  unless  to  a  very  particular  friend.  Whenever  an  officer  was 
fully  prepared  to  quit,  let  him  do  so,  but  it  is  perhaps  as  well  not  to 
speak  of  doing  so  unless  it  was  to  those  who  would  not  repeat  them 
until  such  time  arrived ;  I  am  sure  nothing  but  kindness  was  intended  in 
any  of  his  remarks.  I  hope  the  supplies  referred  to  by  him  will  arrive 
in  due  season,  &  that  they  will  be  abundant  for  all  concerned.  The  four 
medical  officers  coming  out  with  the  2d  Infrwill  add  very  considerably  to 
the  strength  of  the  corps  in  the  country.  Riley1  I  learn  has  arrived  at 
Brasos  ;  with  two  or  three  comps  this  however  is  not  official,  if  true  he 
will  be  here  in  a  few  days — 

As  regards  the  Callifornia  affair,  I  must  entirely  disapprove  the 
course  of  the  administration,  &  consider  no  act  of  the  brittis2  gov*  as 
regards  the  acquirement  of  territory  in  the  East,  or  any  where  else  more 
outrageous  than  our  attempt  or  intention  of  taking  permanent  possession 
of  that  country.  I  am  gratified  to  know  you  had  recently  heard  from 
Ann  as  well  as  from  Puss  &  thank  them  for  their  kind  remembrance,  & 
hope  all  is  well  as  nothing  is  said  to  the  contrary  ;  give  my  love  to  them 
all  when  you  write.  I  have  recd  Gs.  communication  on  the  subject  of 
rank,  he  has  as  well  not  written  it,  alth°  no  objection  can  be  made  to  it, 
yet  no  action  will  be  had  on  it ;  you  are  right  in  giving  no  advice  in  the 
matter.  The  heat  here  during  the  greater  part  of  the  day  could  not  be 
much  greater  than  it  has  been,  but  I  had  not  supposed  it  could  have  been 
so  very  great  in  Detroit ;  but  it  will  not  continue  so  there  but  for  a  short 
time. 

I  have  always  understood  that  the  females  of  Gen1  Bradies  family 
were  rather  cold  &  repulsive,  for  which  they  were  mainly  indebted  to  an 
old  fanitic  aunt.  Thompson  must  be  very  miserable.  I  regret  to  hear 
Bob  had  quit  the  school  his  mother  placed  him  at  in  the  country,  &  fear 
he  will  give  her  much  trouble. 


i  Bennett  Riley  (1787-1853)  entered  the  army  as  an  ensign  in  1815  and  continued  therein  till  his  death.  He  made  a  good 
record  during  the  troubles  with  the  Indians  and  had  important  commands  during  the  Mexican  war,  leading  the  Second  Infantry 
under  Scott  and  the  second  brigade  of  Twiggs's  division  in  the  valley  of  Mexico.  He  received  the  brevets  of  brigadier-general  for 
bravery  at  Cerro  Gordo  and  major-general  for  gallant  service  at  Contreras.  After  one  of  his  successful  engagements  Scott  assured 
him  that  his  bravery  had  secured  a  victory  for  the  American  army.  After  the  war  he  was  appointed  military  governor  of  California 
and  served  as  such  till  the  admission  to  statehood. 

z     For  British. 

3     Meaning  General  Hugh  Brady,  then  in  command  at  Detroit. 


49 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Co1  Taylor  when  last  heard  from,  was  in  Matamoros  his  health 
improved,  I  presume  he  is  on  his  way  here  by  this  time  if  not  before. 
I  do  not  expect  to  write  you  so  Ion  an  an  epistle  again  for  some  time — 
Since  my  last  I  have  been  someweat  indisposed  but  am  now  much  better 
if  not  entirely  well.  Wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  pros 
perity  I  remain  with  sincere  respect  &  esteem 

Your  Friend 

Truly, 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  A. 

Fort  Polk  Texas. 


Camargo  Mexico 

Septr  3d  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  welcome  and  interesting  letter  of  the  25th  ult°  was  duly  recd  for 
which  you  have  my  sincere  thanks.  I  have  commenced  the  movement 
at  last  on  Monteray  &  Saltillo  nearly  all  the  regular  troops  are  now 
under  march  for  the  interior,  with  a  few  of  the  Volunteers  ;  the  whole  I 
expect  will  be  so  by  Monday  ;  I  shall  leave  for  Surralvo  myself  on  Sat 
urday  the  6th  to  join  the  advance  at  that  place,  near  half  way  between 
this  &  Monterey.  The  whole  force  I  shall  take  with  me,  will  be  near 
six  thousand  men,  half  regulars  the  balance  volunteers.  We  are  in  some 
respects  indifferently  supplied,  but  I  became  doubtful  if  I  depended  on 
the  Qr  Masters  dep£  to  complete  the  necessary  arrangements  so  far  as  the 
same  was  concerned,  not  only  the  time  of  the  twelve  months  would 
expire  before  they  were  completed,  but  the  regulars  likewise,  so  I  thought 
it  best  to  leave  at  once  &  get  to  Monterey  &  Saltillo  as  soon  as  our  legs 
could  carry  us  there  unless  stopped  by  the  enemy  or  some  causes  on  the 
way  which  I  do  not  expect  will  be  the  case  ;  whether  the  enemy  will  fight 
us  time  must  determine  ;  opinions  on  that  subject  are  much  at  variance  ; 
should  they  fight  we  must  beat  them,  or  find  honorable  graves.  Wells 
has  not  yet  arrived,  we  are  very  much  in  want  here  of  medicines  &  sup- 

50 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

plies  of  various  kinds  ;  it  is  probable  we  will  have  to  wait  a  few  days  for 
them  ;  or  they  will  have  to  follow  us  ;  as  they  were  very  particularly 
needed  the  Qr  Master  shipped  them  on  the  slowest  boat  on  the  river, 
whether  by  design  or  accident  I  am  unable  to  say — 

I  am  gratified  in  believing  the  sick  both  regulars  &  volunteers  who 
have  fallen  under  your  care  have  been  taken  good  care  of,  &  I  know  it 
will  continue  to  be  so —  I  direct  an  order  to  be  issued,  that  you  would 
have  such  of  the  sick  brought  over  from  the  Rio  Grande  to  Fort  Polk, 
as  you  might  think  advisable,  or  as  you  could  accommodate  them  ;  the 
volunteers  have  a  very  large  sick  report  at  this  place,  &  a  good  many 
deaths  ;  poor  fellows  they  have  a  very  hard  time  of  it  no  hospitals,  &  I 
greatly  fear,  very  poor  medical  advisers  ;  I  can  but  feel  very  sensibly  for 
them.  I  have  directed  competent  medical  aid  to  be  employed  whenever 
it  can  be  met  with — also  that  Majr  Gardner  &  Co1  Clark1  should  dis 
charge  such  volunteers  who  were  able  &  wished  to  return  to  their  homes — 
I  regret  I  cannot  send  a  proper  officer  to  Sc  Joseph's  discharge  all  there 
unfit  for  service,  break  up  the  establishment  &  order  Hawkins  in  the 
field,  but  things  must  remain  as  they  are  for  the  present — 

I  am  satisfied  the  volunteer  officers  who  are  left  behind,  will  express 
great  dissatisfaction,  but  this  I  cannot  help,  the  country  expects  us  to  do 
or  attempt  something,  &  they  shall  not  be  disappointed  ;  even  if  it 
should  turn  out  to  be  a  disaster.  The  whole  system  of  volunteers  at  best 
is  defective  but  mae2  much  worse  than  it  might  be,  by  the  mismanage 
ment  of  the  same,  by  those  who  control  it  for  political  effect,  which  is  the 
case  in  the  present  instance.  Volunteers  were  never  intended  to  invad  or 
carry  on  war  out  of  the  limits  of  their  own  country,  but  should  be  used, 
as  the  constitution  intended  they  should  be  for  enforcing  the  execution 
of  the  laws ;  &  repelling  invasion,  for  which  they  are  admirably  suited. 
There  is  but  little  doubt  in  my  mind,  if  this  war  continues  for  any  length 
of  time,  it  will  completely  break  down  the  administration.  The  two 
million  plan  which  failed  in  the  senate,  induces  me  to  believe  judging 
from  the  message  connected  with  it,  that  the  executive  has  some  plan  or 
expectation  of  closing  the  war  by  negotiation  I  therefor  regret  the  money 


I  Newman  S.  Clarke  was  born  in  Connecticut  and  died  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  October  17,  1860.  He  served  throughout  the 
War  of  1812,  was  brevetted  captain  for  bravery  at  Niagara  and  slowly  advanced  to  colonel  in  1846.  He  commanded  a  brigade  in 
Mexico  in  1847  and  received  the  brevet  of  brigadier-general  for  gallant  conduct  at  the  siege  of  Vera  Cruz. 

1     For  made. 

51 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

was  not  placed  at  his  disposal1 —  The  last  mail  brought  me  a  letter  of  the 
12th  ult°  from  Betty  she  was  then  quite  well ;  Dick  who  had  returned  was 
much  better  ;  but  her  mother  was  not  well,  from  the  effects  of  a  bad 
cold.  There  were  still  at  B.  Rouge  but  would  leave  there  in  a  few  days 
for  some  of  the  watering  places  on  the  lake  back  of  N.  Orleans,  where 
they  would  spend  a  few  weeks,  &  then  return  to  B.  Rouge.  I  was  truly 
gratified  to  learn  you  had  heard  from  Ann  as  late  as  the  2d  of  Augr  & 
that  her  &  the  children  were  all  well ;  the  heat  appears  to  be  very  oppress 
ive  throughout  the  country,  but  it  must  be  trifling  there  in  comparison 
to  what  it  is  here  ;  but  at  any  rate  it  lasts  there  but  a  few  weeks,  &  I 
think  the  winters  in  that  quarter  are  much  more  to  be  dreaded  than  the 
summers  even  warm  as  they  are  ;  I  am  more  than  obliged  to  her  for  her 
kind  remembrance. 

The  war  must  end  some  time  or  other,  &  that  I  trust  before  a  very 
great  while,  when  should  you  continue  to  its  close  you  will  be  certainly 
entitled  to  a  good  station  whether  you  get  it  or  not ;  as  I  have  remarked 
before  the  only  consideration  in  the  whole  matter  is  that  Ann  &  the 
children  were  located  at  some  eligible  position  where  they  were  satisfied 
during  your  absence;  seperation  with  army  &  navy  officers  &  their 
families  are  inevitable,  &  should  be  calculated  on,  &  should  at  all  times  be 
prepared  to  meet  such  occurrences  without  complaining  however  much 
they  may  be  inconvenienced  by  the  same,  particularly  if  they  cannot 
remedy  it.  I  much  fear  Anns  dislike  to  Detroit  is  more  imaginary  than 
real,  yet  I  truly  wish  she  was  comfortably  located  somewhere  else,  par 
ticularly  if  she  was  better  satisfied,  &  I  think  you  have  done  right  in 
leaving  her  free  to  go  any  other  place,  as  she  may  think  best.  The  boys 
no  doubt  give  her  much  trouble,  as  well  as  great  anxiety,  but  would  either 
be  less  anywhere  else.  We  should  do  the  best  for  our  children  in  our 
power ;  instilling  into  their  minds  at  an  early  age  the  necessity  of  good 
principles  as  regards  honesty  and  truth,  as  well  as  good  morals,  encourage 
them  in  the  propriety  of  employment  of  some  kind  or  other,  &  give 
them  a  taste  for  reading,  after  which  they  must  take  their  chances,  &  we 
must  try  &  be  satisfied  let  matters  as  regards  them  eventuate  as  they  may. 


I  In  August,  1846,  President  Polk  sent  a  message  to  congress  suggesting  the  appropriation  of  $2,000,000  to  be  expended  by 
him  in  arranging  a  peace  with  Mexico,  and  particularly  for  the  purpose  of  paying  for  such  territory  as  Mexico  might  be  willing  to 
cede — as  was  done  in  1803  to  pay  for  the  cession  of  Louisiana  and  in  1806  to  pay  for  the  cession  of  Florida.  The  appropriation  was 
not  made  then,  but  in  March,  1847,  a  bill  setting  aside  $3,000,000  for  this  purpose  became  a  law. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

If  they  turn  out  well  it  will  be  a  source  of  the  greatest  possible  gratifica 
tion  to  their  parents,  should  they  do  badly  the  reverse  will  be  the  case  in 
like  proportion.  Let  us  do  our  duty  to  them  &  others,  to  the  best  of 
our  ability  &  bear  up  against  what  may  afterward  occur  even  if  unfavor 
able,  at  least  with  propriety  &  resignation  in  the  best  way  we  can —  As 
I  stated  to  you  in  my  last  I  regretted  to  hear  that  Rob  had  quit  school  & 
returned  home  as  I  fear  his  doing  so  will  cause  his  mother  much  uneasi 
ness.  I  do  not  know  how  John  can  be  well  sparred  from  home  until 
you  return  ;  if  he  could  have  a  proper  instructor  it  seem  to  me  he  would 
be  as  well  for  him  to  be  with  his  mother  as  any  where  else  for  the  pres 
ent —  It  is  perhaps  as  well  if  not  better  not  to  make  too  favorable  calcu 
lations  in  favor  of  our  children  in  early  life  for  should  they  fail  to  meet  or 
come  up  to  them  the  disappointment  will  be  felt  with  double  the  effect  it 
would  be  under  different  circumstances — 

Mays  promotion  to  the  rank  of  L£  Co1  by  brevet  as  well  as  that  of 
some  others  who  I  learn  have  recd  two  grades  at  once  for  the  same  affair, 
an  extraordinary  proceeding  to  say  the  least  of  it,  &  shows  they  had  good 
friends  at  court ;  but  I  shall  take  no  acception  to  the  matter,  nor  attempt 
to  animadvert  on  the  same,  farther  than  to  say  they  were  in  luck — 

I  make  no  calculations  on  appointments  for  the  boys  at  West  Point 
or  in  the  navy  ;  if  they  apply,  or  applicates  is  made  for  them  &  they  suc 
ceed  very  well,  if  not  I  hope  they  will  be  able  to  get  on  without  them  ; 
success  in  those  matters  are  extremely  doubtful,  with  exception  of  some 
families,  the  whole  of  whom  must  be  provided  for  in  this  as  well  as  other 
countries —  Unless  the  application  referred  to  was  made  direct  to  the 
president  it  is  doubtful  if  he  ever  saw  it — 

The  last  mail  brought  us  a  com"  from  gen1  hd  quarters  that  it  was 
the  wish  of  the  dep£  or  the  gen1  in  chief  that  Dr  Wells  who  has  this 
moment  arrived  with  the  supplies,  should  be  permitted  to  leave  the 
country  as  soon  as  the  officers  of  the  Medical  dep'  now  on  their  way 
here  or  are  to  come  arrive  ;  this  I  informed  the  dep£  I  should  not  do, 
unless  the  war  was  brought  to  a  close —  Wishing  you  continued  health 
&  prosperity  I  remain 

Your  Friend  Truly 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  Army 

53 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

You  must  not  expect  long  letters  from  me  for  the  time  to  come  ; 
they  will  be  quite  brief  until  I  get  to  Saltillo —  My  love  to  Ann  &  the 
children  when  you  write — 

Yours  truly 

Z.  T. 


Camp  at  Surralvo  75  miles  from  Monterey 

September  ioth  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  very  acceptable  &  interesting  letter  of  the  Ist  ins1  reached  me 
on  the  evening  of  the  5th  the  day  after  we  left  Comargo  for  this  place, 
where  I  arrived  yesterday  &  joined  the  advance  under  Gen1  Worth,  find 
ing  all  well  ;  without  meeting  with  any  occurrence  on  the  way  worthy  of 
notice.  All  the  regular  troops  are  now  here,  &  I  look  for  one  Briggade 
of  Volunteers  today,  &  the  other  tomorrow,  which  will  be  all  the  troops 
here  that  are  to  move  on  this  route  ;  two  Rgts  of  Texas  mounted  men 
are  or  have  been  ordered  on  a  road  running  parallel  to  the  one  we  are  on 
to  our  left,  under  Govr  Henderson  to  unite  with  us  some  fifty  miles  in 
advance  of  this  place,  should  they  not  disband,  of  which  there  was  some 
apprehension  when  we  left  Comargo,  &  it  is  quite  likely  a  portion  of 
them  will  do  so  ;  in  which  case  I  cannot  say  the  am1  of  force  we  shall 
have  when  the  whole  are  concentrated,  but  not  far  short  of  six  thousand, 
about  3200  of  which  will  be  regulars.  Whether  the  enemy  will  fight  for 
Monterey  is  quite  uncertain,  it  can  only  be  ascertained  by  going  there  ; 
my  impressions  are  we  shall  meet  with  no  resistance  out  of  the  city,  they 
may  attempt  to  defend  it,  which  I  hope  will  be  the  case,  as  they  have 
thrown  up  some  slight  defences  for  its  protection  ;  as  I  hope  to  be  able 
to  reduce  it,  in  which  case  I  hope  to  capture  their  army,  as  well  as  take 
their  artillery  &  military  stores  if  they  have  any  ;  we  shall  however  see 
all  about  it  when  we  get  there —  There  is  no  doubt  but  what  Santa 

54 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Anna1  has  returned  to  Mexico,  &  been  installed  as  dictator  for  four 
months  ;  how  all  this  is  to  eventuate  as  to  the  relations  between  the  two 
countries  time  must  determine ;  report  says  he  is  moving  rapidly  towards 
this  frontier  at  the  head  of  a  large  force  ;  if  this  be  true  there  is  but  little 
prospect  of  anything  like  an  amicable  accommodation  of  existing  difficul 
ties  between  the  two  countries.  It  is  stated  in  the  papers,  also  in  letters 
to  &  from  officers  of  the  army,  that  the  2d  Infy  or  the  nine  comps  at  N. 
York  &  New  Port  Kentucky,  had  been  halted  by  directions  from  Wash 
ington  until  further  orders  ;  the  reason  for  which  is  not  stated,  so  I  need 
not  expect  their  aid  at  any  rate  for  a  time  at  least. 

I  shall  be  detained  here  principally  to  have  the  horses  &  mules  shod, 
as  it  is  impossible  for  either  that  are  worked  in  harness  or  under  the 
saddle  to  get  along  without,  the  greater  part  of  the  road  being  over  sharp 
stones  at  best  difficult  to  travel  over.  I  expect  to  leave  with  the  first 
division  on  Sunday  morning  the  13th  to  be  followed  by  the  other  two  the 
next  two  days,  &  after  concentrating  twenty-five  miles  this  side  Mon 
terey,  to  reach  there  about  the  2Oth  or  22d  As  regards  Rob,  there  is  no 
doubt  he  has  natural  capacity  enough  for  any  situation,  but  there  is  more 
in  application  in  reaching  the  prominent  stations  in  our  country  than  in 
anything  else  ;  I  have  experienced  enough  as  well  in  my  own  family  as  in 
others  that  it  was  as  well  if  not  better  to  make  no  very  great  calculations 


I  Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa-Anna  was  born  in  Jalapa,  Mexico,  February  21,  1795,  and  died  in  the  City  of  Mexico  June  20, 
1876.  He  entered  the  Spanish  army  as  a  cadet  on  July  6,  1810,  rose  rapidly,  and  in  1821  was  brigadier-general  and  governor  of 
Vera  Cruz.  He  engaged  in  various  intrigues  during  the  next  ten  years  and  after  defeating  President  Bustamante  on  November 
12,  1832,  was  elected  president  of  the  republic.  But  he  persisted  in  leaving  the  executive  authority  to  another  whom  he  could  con 
trol  and  in  1835  General  Barragan  was  elected  provisional  president.  Santa-Anna  then  allied  himself  with  the  reactionary  party 
and  the  Federal  system  was  abolished  ;  the  former  states  were  made  provinces  and  the  governors  were  made  dependent  upon  the 
central  authority.  This  gave  the  pretext  for  the  separation  of  Texas,  which  declared  its  independence.  Santa-Anna  immediately 
took  the  field  at  the  head  of  an  army  of  6,000  men,  crossed  the  Rio  Grande,  and  on  April  6th  stormed  the  Alamo  fort  at  San  Anto 
nio,  killed  its  defenders,  and  then  massacred  the  garrison  of  Goliad.  On  April  2lst,  however,  he  was  totally  routed  by  the  Texan 
army  under  Houston  and  was  captured  three  days  later.  He  gave  a  written  order  to  his  second  in  command  to  retire  across  the 
Rio  Grande  and  on  May  141(1  signed  a  treaty  with  the  provisional  president  of  Texas,  David  G.  Burnett,  recognizing  the  independ 
ence  of  that  state.  He  was  not  released  till  February,  1837.  On  his  return  to  Mexico  he  continued  his  intrigues  and  was  appointed 
provisional  president  October  10,  1841.  From  that  time  till  December  6,  1844,  he  was  virtually  a  military  dictator.  Early  in 
December  his  troops  abandoned  him,  he  was  deposed,  and  after  a  brief  period  of  imprisonment  made  his  way  to  Havana.  When 
war  with  the  United  States  began  and  the  Mexicans  had  been  defeated  along  the  Rio  Grande  by  General  Taylor,  a  mutiny  under 
General  Mariano  Salas  deposed  President  Paredes  and  recalled  Santa-Anna,  who  returned  August  16,  1846,  and  became  commander- 
in-chief  and  president.  He  immediately  set  about  the  organization  of  an  army  to  repel  the  invader  and  after  a  march  full  of  hard 
ships  through  the  desert  of  Potosi  fought  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  February  22  and  23,  1847,  being  defeated  with  heavy  loss  by  a 
force  greatly  inferior  in  numbers  but  strongly  entrenched.  When  Vera  Cruz  was  attacked  by  Scott,  Santa-Anna  took  command  of 


president  for  life  with  the  title  of  Most  Serene  Highness,  but  his  rule  was  so  despotic  that  revolutions  broke  out  everywhere  and 
in  August,  1855,  he  was  again  compelled  to  flee  the  country.  He  was  back  in  1864,  again  engaged  in  political  intrigue,  and  in  i86j 
was  forced  for  the  third  time  to  leave.  He  then  engaged  in  filibustering  expeditions,  was  captured  and  sentenced  to  death,  but  was 
pardoned  on  condition  that  he  would  leave  Mexico  and  never  return.  After  the  death  of  Benito  Pablo  Juarez,  president  of  Mexico, 
July  18,  1872,  he  took  advantage  of  a  proclamation  of  amnesty,  returned  to  Mexico  and  applied  for  restoration  to  the  army  list  and 
for  back-pay.  This  was  refused  and  he  died  amid  general  public  indifference. 


id  ge 

55 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

as  regards  the  prominent  positions  our  children  are  to  occupy,  as  there 
are  so  many  contingencies  connected  with  the  same,  they  are  but  rarely 
realized.  Appointments  in  our  army  &  navy  are  given  now  to  particular 
families  or  to  the  friends  of  active  politicians ;  so  that  you  ought  to 
make  no  calculations  on  anything  of  the  kind  for  your  boys  with  any 
thing  like  a  certainty  of  success.  Let  the  application  for  a  midshipman's 
warrant  or  an  appointment  at  West  Point  be  made  at  the  proper  time, 
backed  by  the  best  influence  that  can  be  brought  to  bear  on  the  case,  & 
if  it  is  not  successful  they  must  try  some  other  pursuit,  which  may  be 
made  as  respectable  &  more  lucrative  as  any  the  gov'  can  give.  Finlay, 
McLaren  &  Turner1  have  been  ordered  here.  Should  they  come  Craig 
who  is  completly  broken  down  will  go  out  or  home  if  he  has  any,  as 
soon  as  Finlay  arrives  who  ranks  him,  on  sick  leave  if  able  to  do  so  ;  his 
position  as  medical  director  being  the  only  thing  I  presume  which  keeps 
him  here ;  when  they  all  get  here,  Wells  I  presume  will  as  a  matter  of 
course  expect  to  go  out.  The  individuals  in  question  will  I  presume  all 
come  out  with  great  reluctance.  It  is  stated  here,  I  do  not  know  on 
what  authority,  that  Finlay  will  protest  against  the  order,  which  I  appre 
hend  will  do  him  but  little  good  particularly  as  I  do  not  know  what  right 
he  has  to  claim  an  exemption  from  this  or  any  other  service — 

Co1  Taylor  is  still  absent,  when  he  left  us  at  Comargo  he  expected  to 
join  before  we  got  to  Monterey,  this  I  think  doubtful —  The  country 
we  are  now  in  alth°  for  the  most  part  poor  is  decidedly  of  more  interest 
than  any  we  have  heretofore  passed  over ;  we  are  now  in  sight  of  high 
mountains,  amidst  large  brooks  of  clear  cool  water  running  in  torrents 
from  them,  as  well  as  among  springs  of  running  water  as  pure  as  it  can 
well  be  ;  my  tent  is  near  several  which  affords  water  enough  to  supply 
the  city  of  New  York — 

I  recd  a  letter  from  Betty  who  with  her  mother  &  Dick  was  at  East 
Pascagoula  where  they  would  pass  a  few  weeks,  as  they  were  pleasantly 
situated  with  fine  sea  bathing  with  pleasant  company  &c  &  then  return 
to  their  homes  or  to  B.  Rouge  ;  Betty  &  her  mother  were  as  well  as 
usual,  &  Dick  alth°  much  better  was  suffering  with  rheumatism  which  it 


I     Clement  A.  Finley,  Alden  N.  McLaren,  and  George  F.  Turner  were  surgeons  in  the  army. 

56 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

was  hoped  he  would  be  relieved  from  by  sea  bathing.-  My  love  to  Ann 
&  the  children  when  you  write  &  accept  my  best  wishes  for  the  con 
tinued  health  &  prosperity  of  you  &  yours  through  life. 

Your  Friend  Truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD, 

U.  S.  A.  Fort  Polk  Texas 


Camp  at  Marin  25  Miles  from  Monterey 

Sep<  1 6th  1846 
My  dear  Dr 

I  wrote  you  from  Surralvo  which  place  we  left  on  the  13th  &  reached 
here  yesterday  with  Gen1  Twiggs  command,  Gen1  Worths  will  be  here 
to-day  &  Gen1  Butlers  I  hope  tomorrow,  as  well  as  the  Texan  Mounted 
Volunteers  under  Govr  Henderson  should  they  not  disband,  a  portion 
of  them  I  apprehend  at  least  will  do  so —  The  Govr  as  I  informed  you 
had  been  ordered  to  move  up  the  San  Juan  to  China  to  cross  that  river 
there,  &  unite  with  me  at  this  place  ;  he  informed  me  by  the  return  of 
an  individual  who  I  sent  said  communication  with,  that  he  would  leave 
China  on  the  14th  if  so,  he  ought  to  be  here  tomorrow  at  furtherest ;  but 
whether  he  does  so  or  not  I  shall  move  day  after  to-morrow  towards 
Monterey  &  reach  there  the  next  day  say  the  the  2oth  it  being  only  two 
days  easy  march,  unless  something  which  I  do  not  calculate  on  should 
occur  to  prevent  it —  Whether  we  shall  meet  with  any  opposition  on 
our  arrival  at  Monterey,  or  between  here  &  that  place  is  quite  uncertain, 
but  it  would  appear  somewhat  strange  if  they  do  not  risk  a  battle  for  so 
important  a  place  as  Monterey,  which  they  have  been  fortifying  for  sev 
eral  months,  and  where  report  says,  they  have  six  or  seven  thousand 
men,  half  of  them  regulars.  For  the  last  two  days  several  hundred  vari 
ously  reported  by  the  inhabitants,  from  two  hundred  to  a  thousand  have 
kept  in  our  front,  but  have  uniformly  fallen  back  before  our  advance  or 
spies  consisting  of  fifty  men  ;  they  were  only  near  enough  on  one  occa 
sion  to  exchange  shots,  &  that  almost  out  of  reach  of  their  balls  taking 

57 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

effect,  wounding  slightly  on  our  side  one  horse,  &  perhaps  one  or  two 
individuals  on  theirs,  as  one  of  them  dropped  his  gun  and  lance,  which 
was  picked  up  by  our  people —  But  let  matters  terminate  as  they  may, 
the  story  will  be  told  in  a  few  days — 

A  man  with  the  mail  got  here  last  night  from  Camargo,  by  which  I 
recd  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  yth  ins1  for  which  you  have  my  sincere 
thanks,  &  I  regret  you  did  not  hear  from  Detroit,  but  truly  hope  all  are 
well  there.  I  am  also  very  much  concerned  to  learn  there  is  so  much 
indisposition  or  sickness  which  has  in  so  many  instances  resulted  fatally 
among  the  volunteers  where  ever  they  are  located  ;  but  had  hoped  those 
encamped  at  or  near  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande  where  they  could  get 
good  water,  or  the  best  in  the  country,  as  well  as  plenty  of  wood  & 
shade  in  addition  to  plenty  of  sea  air  as  well  as  the  regulars  at  Fort  Polk, 
would  have  proved  comparitively  healthy  ;  but  in  this  it  seems  I  have 
been  mistaken — 

I  recd  by  the  mail  in  question  several  letters  public  &  private,  but 
the  information  they  contained  was  but  of  little  importance ;  the  private 
ones  I  may  say  nothing.  I  did  not  hear  from  my  family  or  from  my 
manager —  I  did  not  get  the  proceedings  alth°  recd  in  camp,  by  others 
of  the  court  in  case  of  Gen1  Gaines,  judging  from  which  &  the  presi 
dents  remarks  thereon  I  consider  his  conduct  has  been  tolerated,  but  not 
approved,  nor  can  it  be  said  it  amounts  to  an  acquital,  but  barely  toler 
ates  his  conduct — 

I  stated  in  my  last  letter  to  you,  that  that  portion  of  the  2d  Inf  ? 
which  had  reached  New  York  &  New  Port  Kentucky,  had  by  an  order 
from  Washington  been  halted  at  those  places  until  further  orders,  this 
report  must  have  originated  in  some  mistake,  or  if  true  it  was  only  for  a 
very  brief  period,  as  I  recd  by  the  last  nights  mail  an  order  from  the 
Adjc  Genl8  office  dated  Washington  the  24*  ult°  ordering  Cap1  Masons 
Company  of  the  new  Rifles  which  had  been  completed  to  the  establish 
ment  to  join  me,  &  to  accompany  the  2d  Infy  or  if  it  had  left  for  Fort 
Polk,  to  follow  it  without  delay,  so  that  you  may  expect  Riley  daily  if  he 
has  not  already  arrived — 

I  regret  to  hear  of  Ogdens  &  Dawsons  indisposition  but  as  they 
were  on  the  mend,  I  trust  they  will  be  very  soon  restored  to  their  usual 

58 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

health.  I  was  quite  pleased  to  learn  that  Co1  Baker1  of  the  Illinois  vol 
unteers  was  in  a  fair  way  to  recover  from  the  injury  he  recd  at  the  hands 
of  the  Georgia  Volunteers,  &  am  sorry  you  did  not  carry  out  your 
intention  of  visiting  him — 

Wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  I  remain  truly 

your — 

Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR — 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

Fort  Polk  Texas 

P.  S.     I  got  no  n.  papers  nor  have   I  heard  of  one  being  recd  in 

camp. 

Z.  T. 


Monterey  Mexico  Sepf  28th  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

We  reached  here  on  the  19th  &  after  receiving  a  few  cannon  shot 
from  the  enemies  Forts  &  batteries  the  same  day,  fell  back  &  encamped 
at  the  first  convenient  position  out  of  the  range  of  their  shot.  On  the 
2Oth  having  reconnoitered  the  enemies  position  &  defences,  &  finding 
alth°  greatly  superior  to  us  in  numbers  that  he  would  not  leave  the  tnow2 
which  was  naturally  very  strong  &  completely  fortified,  supplied  with  a 
large  amount  of  artillery,  I  at  once  made  dispositions  for  carrying  their 
out  works  which  were  very  extensive,  &  detached  Gen1  Worth  with  a 


1  Edward  Dickenson  Baker  had  a  remarkable  career.     He  was   born  in   London,  England,  February  Z4,  1811,  came  to  this 
country  at  the  age  of  5,  supported  himself  as  a  weaver,  studied  in  his  leisure  hours,  and  went  to  Springfield,  111.,  where  he  studied 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  acquired  distinction  as  an  orator.     He  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  state  legislature 
in  1837,  to  the  upper  house  in  1840,  and  to  the  Federal  house  of  representatives  in  1844.     When  the  war  with  Mexico  broke  out  he 
raised  a  regiment  of  volunteers  and  joined  General  Taylor  on  the  Rio  Grande.      Being  transferred  to  Scott's  command  he  partici 
pated  in  every  battle  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  City  of  Mexico   and  greatly  distinguished  himself.      Returning  home  he  was  again 
elected  to  congress,  serving  from  1849  till  1851.      Going  to   California  he  became  the  leader  of  the  bar  of  that  state  and  the  most 
eloquent  speaker  on  the  Pacific  coast.     Removing  to  Oregon  he  was  elected  to  the  senate  of  the  United  St.ates  in  1860.     The  firing 
on  Fort  Sumter  led  him  to  make  a  passionate  address  in  Union  square,  New  York,  in  which  he  pledged  His  life  to  the  cause  of  the 
Union.      He    raised    a  California  regiment  in    New   York  and   Philadelphia,   commanded  a  brigade  in   the  disastrous   assault 
at  Ball's  Bluff,  and  exposing  himself  to  the  hottest  fire  fell  mortally  wounded  while  leading  a  charge.    His  death  occurred  October 
M,  1861. 

2  For  town. 

59 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

strong  force  to  the  west  end  of  the  town  to  take  possession  of  the  Sal- 
tillo  Road,  &  if  practicable  carry  two  or  three  sail1  works  commanding 
said  road,  &  the  approaches  to  the  upper  part  of  the  city,  all  of  which 
were  situated  on  high  portions  of  the  mountains — 

On  the  morning  of  the  2ist  Gen1  Worth  informed  me  he  was  in 
position  &  wished  a  diversion  could  be  made  to  aid  him  in  his  opera 
tions,  the  balance  of  the  troops  was  soon  in  readiness  for  that  or  any 
other  operation,  &  after  being  formed  a  portion  of  them  consisting  of  the 
first,  third  &  fourth  Infr  were  ordered  to  threaten  the  east  end  of  the 
town,  &  if  it  could  be  done  to  carry  one  of  their  out  or  advanced  works  ; 
they  passed  rapidly  a  very  strong  Fort  driving  the  enemy  from  an 
unfinished  one,  &  entered  the  twown  with  the  fugitives,  which  enabled 
the  volunteers  to  take  possession  of  the  strong  Fort  referred  to  ;  on  get 
ting  into  the  town  Cap1  Mansfield2  of  the  engineers  who  led  the  advance, 
thought  in  the  first  instance  it  could  be  held  if  reinforcements  were  sent, 
which  was  immediately  done,  but  it  was  soon  found  from  the  strong 
manner  the  streets  were  barracaded  the  Houses  which  were  themselves 
each  a  fortification  all  built  of  stone  with  very  thick  walls  with  loop 
holes  for  small  arms,  as  well  as  other  defenses,  &  the  streets  raked  by 
artillery  in  every  direction  it  was  impossible  to  accomplish  any  thing  in 
comparison  to  the  loss  which  we  were  sustaining  I  therefore  drew  off  the 
troops  in  good  order,  holding  on  to  the  strong  fort  which  had  been  taken 
with  four  pieces  of  artillery —  In  this  affair  our  losses  were  very  great 
among  both  regulars  &  volunteers,  an  acct  of  which  was  communicated 
to  you  by  Majr  Bliss^ —  The  attack  or  investment  was  continued  on 
the  22d  on  the  eve  of  which  day  an  important  work  was  taken  possess 
of  by  Gen1  Worths  command  on  the  west  end  of  the  town  ;  the  same 
night  several  strong  works  on  the  east  end  of  the  city  were  abandoned  by 
the  enemy  within  musket  shot  of  the  works  we  had  previously  taken,  & 


1  For  small. 

2  Joseph  King  Fenno  Mansfield,  a  very  able  army  engineer,  was  born  in  New   Haven,  Conn.,  December  22,  1803,  and  died 
near  Sharpsburg,  Md.,  September  18,  1862.     He  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1819  and  assigned  to  the  Engineers, 
becoming  captain  in  1838.     He  served  in  the  Mexican  war  as  chief  engineer  under  General  Taylor,  built  Fort  Brown  (see  Note  8 
on  page  2),  and  received  the  brevet  of  major  for  his  part  in  the  defence  of  it.     He  fought  at  Monterey  and  Buena  Vista,  receiving 
the  brevets  of  lieutenant-colonel  and  colonel,  and  in   1853  was  appointed  inspector-general  of  the  army.     He  was  commissioned 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers  in  1861  and  was  promoted  major-general  in  1862.     He  fell  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Antie- 
tam,  while  cheering  his  troops  in  a  charge. 

3  William  Wallace  Smith  Bliss,  a  gallant  soldier  and  one  of  the  ablest  men  among  General  Taylor's  immediate  subordinates, 
was  born  in  Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  in  August,  1815,  and  died  in  East  Pascagoula,  Miss.,  August  5,  1853.      He  was  graduated  from  the 
Military  Academy  in  1833,  was  chief  of  staff  to  General  Taylor  during  the  war  with  Mexico,  distinguished  himself  in  the  battles  of 
Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Monterey,  and  Buena  Vista,  married  Mary  Elizabeth,  the  youngest  daughter  of  General  Taylor, 
on  April  20,  1824,  and  served  as  President  Taylor's  private  secretary. 

60 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

were  at   once   occupied  by   the   volunteers   on   duty   near    them,  which 
opened  the  city  to  us,  &  which  was  entered  at  both  ends  during  that  day, 
&  the  enemy  driven  from  house  to  house  into  the  principal  open  square 
near  the  Cathedral,  where  they  had  collected  the  greater  portion  of  their 
forces  with  the  intention  of  making  their  last  stand ;  at  night  the  troops 
were   recalled  in   good  order  on   the  east  end  of  the   city  to   the  Forts 
which  commanded   the  entrance  into   it,  while   those  in  the   opposite  end 
occupied  the  ground    they  had  taken —     During  this  day  the   23d  the 
Govr  of  the  province  addressed  me  a  communication  requesting  that  the 
women  &  children  might  be  withdrawn  from   the  city,  which   request  I 
declined  granting  ;  that  night  I   directed  all  operations  to  be  suspended 
untill  I  could   make  the  proper  arrangements  for  a  united  attack  ;  early 
on  the  morning  of  the  24th  while  those   arrangements  were  going  on,  I 
recd  by  the   hands   of  a   staff  officer  with   a   flag  a  communication  from 
Gen1  Ampudia  the  commander  of  the  Mexican  force   proposals  for  sur 
rendering  the  city  provided  he  was  permitted  to  leave  it  with  his  army, 
arms  &  baggage  of  every  description  ;  this  I  declined  when  he  requested 
a  personal  interview  which  ended  after  a  protracted  conversation  in  fixing 
on  three  individuals   to  settle   the  terms   of  the  capitulation  which  were 
that  the  Infantry,  cavalry  &  artillery  should  be  permitted  to  retire  to  the 
interior  of  Mexico  the  officers  to  march  out  with  their  side  arms  &  pri 
vate  property,  the    Infr  &  cavelry  with   their  muskets,  side  arms  &c  & 
the  artillery  with  six  field  guns  ;   the  balance  of  the  public  property  to  be 
turned  over  to  the  U.  States —     These  terms  were  liberal  but  not  con 
sidered   too  much   so  by  all   reflecting   men   belonging  to  the  army  here 
especially  considering  our  situation  ;  besides  it  was  thought  it  would  be 
judicious  to  act  with  magniminity  towards  a  prostrate  foe,  particularly  as 
the  president  of  the  U.  States  had  offered  to  settle  all  differences  between 
the  two  countries  by  negotiation,  &  the  Mexican  commander  stating  that 
said  propositions  he  had  no   doubt  would  be  favorably  met  by  his  got  as 
their  was  a   gen1  wish   for  peace   on  the  part   of  the  nation—      We   took 
ten,  &  there  was  turned  over  to  us,  twenty  two  or  three  pieces  of  brass 
cannon,  &  an   immense  quantity  of  amunition   enough   if  suited   to  our 
guns  to  carry  on  the  war  for  1 2  months —     Their  regular  force  was  rated 
at  7200,  irregulars  at   2000  besides   the  citizens  of  the  town  who  must 
have  amounted  to  several  thousand  who  were  capable  &   no  doubt  bore 

61 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

arms.  How  we  were  permitted  to  take  &  occupy  so  large  a  place,  one 
of  the  strongest  naturally  in  the  country,  strongly  fortified  with  41  or  2 
pieces  of  artillery,  abundantly  supplied  with  ammunition  is  wonderful  to 
say,  even  at  the  loss  we  sustained  which  is  near  500  killed  &  wounded — 

I  trust  this  will  have  some  effect  to  bring  about  a  peace,  if  not  we 
will  have  to  carry  the  war  father  into  their  country,  as  soon  as  we  can 
get  the  means  of  doing  so —  Co1  Taylor  has  not  yet  joined  but  I  learn 
he  is  now  on  his  way  from  Camargo  to  this  place  with  funds  for  his  depc 
escorted  by  a  detachment  from  the  2d  Infy  so  that  a  portion  of  that  Rg£ 
must  have  reached  the  Rio  Grande — 

My  love  to  Ann  &  the  children  when  you  write,  who  I  trust  you 
have  recently  heard  from  &  were  all  well  at  last  dates  &  will  long  con 
tinue  so —  My  regards  to  all  inquiring  friends  at  the  Point  &  accept 
my  sincere  wishes  for  the  continued  health  &  prosperity  of  you  &  yours 
through  life. 

Your  Friend  Truly 

&  Sincerely 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD, 

U.  S.  A  Fort  Polk  Texas 

An  armistice  has  been  entered  into  for  8  weeks,  or  until  our  respec 
tive  eovts  could  be  heard  from  ;  this  was  or  is  a  mater  of  no  moment  as  it 

D 

regards  us,  as  we  would  be  hardly  again  ready  to  take  the  field  short  of 
six  weeks,  unless  the  enemy  should  compel  us  to  do  so,  which  they  can 
do  in  20  days  without  violating  the  terms  of  the  capitulation,  as  they  can 
hear  from  Mexico  short  of  that  time  ;  the  authorities  there  having  the 
power  to  disclaim  what  has  been  done  ;  so  that  I  must  make  every 

arrangement  in  my  power  to  meet  every  contingency — 

Z.  T— 


62 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 


Monterey  Mexico 

October  12th  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  several  &  interesting  letters  of  the  19th  26th  28th  &  24th  were 
duly  recd  for  all  of  which  you  have  my  sincere  thanks,  &  I  need  hardly 
assure  you  that  I  was  very  much  gratified  to  hear  the  health  of  the  com 
mand  at  Fort  Polk  was  improving,  &  trust  your  own  health  which  I 
conclude  as  a  matter  of  course  was  good,  as  you  say  nothing  to  the  con 
trary,  &  I  truly  hope  it  will  continue  so.  I  regret  to  hear  the  hospital 
had  not  been  completed,  as  I  expected  there  would  be  a  large  number  of 
patients  who  would  wish  &  ought  to  find  accommodation  in  it  from  the 
regulars,  &  particularly  from  the  passing  volunteers  &  those  stationed  on 
the  Rio  Grande  near  its  mouth,  where  they  had  but  limited  accomodation, 
&  I  feared  ignorant  medical  officers,  &  bad  attention  &  arrangements,  & 
I  was  gratified  to  know  you  had  done  all  in  your  power  for  them  ;  & 
alth°  the  Qr  Masters  dep'  is  on  crutches,  yet  I  trust  the  hospital  so  long 
in  contemplation  at  the  Point,  will  be  made  comfortable  for  the  sick, 
before  the  approach  or  arrival  of  very  cold  weather ;  I  think  you  done 
well  to  order  at  once  stoves  for  the  same.  Garland  informed  me  a  few 
days  since  that  he  had  a  letter  from  his  wife  in  Detroit  saying  among 
other  things,  that  Ann  was  preparing  to  leave  Detroit,  &  Co1  Taylor  who 
goes  down  to  Brasos  immediately  &  who  will  hand  you  this,  informs  me 
that  he  had  just  recd  a  letter  from  his  wife  that  she  would  come  to  Cin 
cinnati  where  she  would  stop  a  short  time  &  after  putting  the  boys  to 
school  or  college,  would  proceed  to  B.  Rouge  where  she  would  pass  the 
winter  with  her  mother,  which  under  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case, 
was  about  as  good  a  move  as  could  have  been  made,  if  not  the  very  best. 
I  have  informed  Mrs  Taylor  of  this  arrangement,  who  will  be  delighted 
with  it,  &  will  be  prepared  to  receive  her  &  any  of  the  children  she  may 
bring  with  her,  &  I  hope  they  will  get  down  if  the  Ohio  is  navigable  by 
the  last  of  the  present  month,  or  early  in  the  next.  I  was  quite  pleased 
to  hear  Ann  had  been  able  to  offer  Mrs  Long  a  shelter  for  a  short  time, 
as  she  is  really  an  object  of  charity  ;  I  hope  her  husbands  relations  will 
find  it  convenient  to  give  her  a  comfortable  home.  I  regret  if  anything 
unpleasant  has  taken  place  between  Mrs  Co1  T.  which  I  think  likely,  & 

63 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

her  step  mother,  &  believe  with  you  it  was  rather  running  too  great  a 
risk  in  Mrs  T.  locating  herself  as  she  did  for  any  length  of  time  where 
there  was  several  sets  of  children,  which  is  almost  inevitable  to  produce 
unpleasant  feelings  between  some  of  the  establishment ;  Mrs  Taylor  is 
now  going  to  housekeeping,  at  least  I  suppose  is  the  case  from  some 
of  the  remarks  of  the  Co1  which  it  would  perhaps  have  been  better  for 
her  to  have  done  in  the  first  instance — 

The  constant  excitement  common  to  such  operations  as  will  be  con 
stantly  going  on  under  Gen1  Wool,  may  have  the  effect  of  saving 
Wharton,1  if  it  does  not  change  his  habits,  he  must  very  soon  blow  out. 
I  am  surprised  the  new  batch  of  medical  officers  have  not  have  arrived, 
particularly  McLaren  who  is  not  very  distant,  &  who  I  presume  would 
have  acted  very  promptly.  I  thank  you  for  the  various  extracts  taken 
from  different  papers  in  relation  to  the  battles  of  Palialto  &  Resacka,  in 
addition  to  Mexican  affairs  in  gen1  the  first  may  be  considered  too  flatter 
ing  or  at  any  rate  enough  so,  to  satisfy  the  wishes  or  vanity  of  an  one, 
much  less  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  they  are  read  with  indifference — 
L*  Armsted2  reached  here  last  night  with  despatches  from  Washington, 
but  by  no  means  bringing  any  of  importance  ;  the  principal  information 
communicated  was  that  Gen1  Salas?  the  acts  president  of  Mexico  had 
declined  to  entertain  Mr  Buchanans*  proposals  to  enter  into  engagements 
for  settling  the  difficulties  between  the  two  countries  by  negotiation ; 
stating  that  the  same  must  be  submitted  to  their  congress,  which  meets 
early  in  Decr  next ;  directing  the  war  to  be  prosecuted  with  vigor,  which 
cannot  be  done  by  me  without  further  instructions  from  Washington, 
until  the  cessasion  of  arms  entered  into  between  Gen1  Ampudia  &  my 
self  terminates,  which  will  be  about  the  20th  of  November,  unless  his 


j     William  L.  Wharton  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  ioined  the  army  as  an  assistant  surgeon  September  I,  1818,  became  a  major- 
surgeon  July  Zi,  1837,  and  died  October  4,  1846 — eight  days  before  General  Taylor  wrote  this  letter. 

2  Lewis  Addison   Armistead  was   born  in   Newbern,  N.  C.,  February  18,  1817,  attended  the  Military  Academy  two  years, 
became  first  lieutenant  in  1844,  took  a  gallant  part  in  the  battles  in  the  valley  of  Mexico,  became  a  captain   in  1855,  resigned  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  and  entered  the  Confederate  army  as  a  brigadier-general.      He  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Antietam  in  1861.     At  Gettysburg  he  was  one  of  the  few  in  Pickett's  division  who  nearly  reached  the  Federal  lines  in  the  des 
perate  charge  on  the  third  day,  was  mortally  wounded,  and  died  a  prisoner  July  J,  1863. 

3  Mariano  Salas  (1797-1867)  entered  the  Mexican  army  in  1813,  was   rapidly  promoted,  and  was  for  many  years  a  devoted 
follower  of  Santa-Anna.     After  the  fall  of  President  Herrera  in  January,  1846,  Salas  was  reappointed  commander  of  the  district  of 
Mexico  but  in  July  headed  a  revolution  in  favor  of  Santa-Anna  and  became  provisional  president.     When  Monterey  capitulated  to 
General  Taylor,  September  24, 1846,  Salas  was  active  in  preparing  troops  and  supplies  for  the  army  that  was  to  march  to  the  north 
under  Santa-Anna.     In  May,  1847,  he  was  appointed  second  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  North  in  San  Luis  and  participated 
under  Valencia  in  the  battles  of  Contreras  and  Churubusco,  where  he  was  taken   prisoner.      In   1853  Santa-Anna  made  him  com- 
mander-in-chief  of  the  Department  of  Mexico.     He  was  prominent  in  the  intrigues  of  the  next  ten  years. 

4  At  this  time  James  Buchanan  (subsequently  the  fifteenth  president  of  the  United  States)  was  secretary  of  state  in  the  cabi 
net  of  President  Polk. 

64 


PRIVA.TE   PLATE 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

govr  decides  otherwise  ;  if  so  we  must  try  &  be  prepared  for  any  event. 
At  any  rate  I  see  but  little  prospect  of  peace.  I  have  not  heard  from 
my  family  for  some  time.  Van  Horn  wrote  to  some  one  here  that  he 
had  seen  them  at  Pascagoula  on  his  way  to  Mobile  to  muster  out  some 
volunteers,  that  they  were  well  ;  at  the  time  he  wrote  Dick  was  in  N. 
Orleans  on  his  way  to  the  Warm  Springs  in  Arkansas  where  he  hoped 
to  get  relief  from  Rheumatism,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  was  suffer 
ing  severely.  The  last  N.  Orleans  paper  you  sent  me,  I  think  dated 
the  22d  of  Septr  among  the  arrival  in  it  mentioned  at  the  Sc  Charles,  was 
that  of  Mrs  Taylor  Mrs  Wm  Taylor  of  Point  Coupee  &  servants  ;  but  no 
mention  was  made  of  Betty,  which  I  presume  was  a  mistake  or  omission  ; 
so  there  is  no  doubt  Mrs.  T.  &  Betty  are  both  in  B.  Rouge,  so  that  you 
must  write  to  Ann  to  meet  them  at  any  time  with  the  girls  as  soon  as  the 
Ohio  is  fully  navigable —  I  wrote  you  a  short  time  since  giving  an 
ace'  of  our  operations  here,  &  now  must  refer  to  Co1  Taylor  for  many 
particulars  ;  the  Co1  is  quite  reserved  about  matters  &  things  at  Cincin 
nati  in  regard  to  family  matters —  My  love  to  Ann  &  the  children 
when  you  write,  as  well  as  regards  to  inquiring  friends  at  Brasos  or  Fort 
Polk  &  wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  I  remain 

Truly  Your  Friend 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  A.  Fort  Polk  Texas 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  mail  from  Camargo  has  arrived  an  hour  or 
two  since,  by  which  I  recd  your  interesting  favor  of  the  2d  ins1  with 
the  several  accompanyments  ;  all  of  which  were  very  acceptable ;  and 
alth°  dearly  won,  I  thank  you  for  your  congratulations  for  our  success  in 
the  attack  on  Monterey.  I  apprehended  as  soon  as  my  name  was  con 
nected  with  the  next  presidency  that  the  various  aspirants  for  that  high 
office  some  of  whom  are  in  high  places,  would  open  their  batteries 
through  the  papers  on  me,  this  however  I  disregard,  further  than  some 
of  their  plans  may  possibly  serve  to  embarrass  my  operations  in  carrying 
on  this  war  successfully —  I  regret  to  hear  the  steamer  Florid  is  off  the 
harbor  without  being  able  to  get  in,  as  she  is  reported  to  have  a  large 
mail ;  most  of  which  I  presume  is  private  letters —  The  purchase  of  the 
Neptune  must  have  been  a  political  operation  instead  of  a  military  one — 

Z.  T. 

65 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


Monterey  Mexico 

Novr  ioth  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  letter  of  the  2yth  ult°  was  this  moment  recd  communicating 
the  distressing  intelligence  of  the  death  of  your  brother,  on  which  sad 
occasion  most  truly  &  sincerely  do  I  feel  for,  &  sympathize  with  you  all, 
particularly  with  his  wife,  &  children,  &  your  aged  &  excellent  mother 
on  this  trying  occasion,  which  I  greatly  fear  the  latter  will  hardly  be  able 
to  bear  up  under;  had  he  died  with  his  family  &  friends  around  him, 
however  sad  it  would  have  been  to  those  near  &  dear  to  him,  yet  it 
would  have  been  a  source  no  doubt  of  great  consolation  to  them  all,  to 
have  been  around  him  in  his  last  moments,  to  have  closed  his  eyes, 
recd  his  parting  blessings  &  long  farewell  ;  as  you  correctly  say  there  are 
other  places  where  death  revels  among  the  brave  &  good  besides  the 
battle  field  ;  but  we  should  all  find  consolation  that  it  is  a  debt  we  all 
have  to  pay,  that  a  few  years  will  again  bring  us  all  together  in  an  other 
&  better  world  ;  &  it  is  well  for  us  to  believe  that  he  who  controls  all 
things,  does  nothing  without  motive,  &  we  ought  to  hope  it  was  for  the 
best,  which  I  trust  is  the  case  in  the  present  instance  ;  notwithstanding 
the  sorrow  &  I  may  say  deep  affliction  it  has  occasioned  ;  also  that  the 
winds  will  be  tempered  to  the  shorn  lamb  in  reality  in  this  instance.  I 
very  much  regret  your  absence  from  the  North  at  this  time,  so  that  you 
could  have  at  once  visited  your  mother  &  the  other  members  of  your 
family,  &  besides  offering  them  every  consolation,  aided  in  getting  them 
comfortably  located  before  leaving  them.  On  hearing  from  them  again 
it  should  be  deemed  necessary  for  their  comfort  &  interest  that  you 
should  make  them  a  visit,  as  well  as  for  your  own,  you  ought  not  to  hesi 
tate  in  doing  so,  even  if  you  have  to  return.  I  will  not  hesitate  to  give 
you  a  short  leave  of  absence  for  that  object,  whenever  you  think  proper 
to  apply.  I  hope  if  the  Ohio  is  navigable  Ann  &  the  children  have 
reached  B.  Rouge  in  safety  by  this  time,  as  I  hope  her  stay  will  be  very 
limited  in  Cincinnati  or  any  where  else  after  she  leaves  Detroit —  Majr 
James  Graham  of  the  Topographical  corps,  reached  here  on  the  second 
at  night  being  the  bearer  of  despatches  growing  out  of  mine  carried  by 
Cap'  Eaton  to  Washington  announcing  the  taking  of  Monterey —  The 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

principal  matter  contained  in  the  same,  was  to  put  an  end  to  the  cessation 
of  arms  entered  into  with  the  Mexican  Gen1  in  chief,  by  the  orders  of  the 
president  it  would  cease  on  the  13th  instead  of  the  19*  when  it  would 
have  expired  as  a  matter  of  course  by  limitation  in  a  few  days  ;  my  conduct 
is  in  the  main  approved  with  complimentary  notice  of  my  self  &  the  com 
mand,  yet  it  is  evident  a  very  cold  one,  which  would  have  been  avoided 
if  it  could  have  been  done  with  safety  ;  their  orders  for  me  to  put  an  end 
to  the  cessation  of  arms,  &  to  carry  on  my  operations  with  renewed 
vigor  against  the  enemy  is  evidence  enough  of  their  feeling  towards  me 
at  Washington,  which  they  only  want  a  decent  pretext  to  show  openly ; 
there  is  I  hear  from  high  authority  an  intrigue  going  on  against  me  ;  the 
object  of  which  is  to  deprive  me  of  the  command  ;  my  only  sin  for  this 
is  the  want  of  discression  on  the  part  of  certain  politicians,  in  connecting 
my  name  as  a  proper  candidate  for  the  next  presidential  election  ;  which 
I  very  much  regretted,  for  even  admitting  I  aspired  to  that  high  office  for 
which  I  have  not  the  most  distant  intention  of  doing,  this  is  no  time  for 
agitating  that  question,  it  will  be  time  enough  to  do  so  in  1 848 —  A 
mail  has  this  moment  arrived  with  a  train  &  brought  me  your  letter  of 
the  22d  inclosing  one  from  Betty,  &  accompanied  by  several  n.  papers 
with  interesting  extracts  taken  or  cut  from  other  papers,  for  which  I  sin 
cerely  thank  you  &  it  is  truly  gratifying  to  me  to  know  that  Ann  &  the 
children  will  spend  the  winter  with  her  mother  at  B.  Rouge,  where  I  am 
in  hopes  they  now  are  as  it  will  be  equally  so  to  Mrs  T.  Betty  writes 
me  Octr  1 2th  in  which  she  says  "  We  recd  yesterday  a  letter  from  Sister 
Ann  dated  the  22d  of  the  last  month  in  which  she  says  she  would  leave 
Detroit  in  about  two  weeks  for  this  place,  but  would  stop  some  days  at 
Louisville,  so  that  we  calculate  on  her  reaching  here  between  the  2oth  & 
the  last  of  the  month,  she  said  she  would  bring  John,  whose  health  was 
not  very  good,  &  the  girls  with  her,  Bob  she  speaks  of  having  at  school 
in  Kentucky,  but  I  expect  he  will  cut  up  so  at  the  idea  of  being  left, 
that  she  will  be  forced  to  bring  him.  We  can  manage  to  accommodate 
them  all  comfortable.  Dick  had  returned  home  from  the  plantation 
where  he  had  been  some  days,  &  alth°  much  improved  in  health,  was  still 
complaining,  &  thought  he  had  not  recovered  sufficiently  to  join  you." 
I  hope  Ann  will  bring  all  the  children  with  her,  as  I  do  not  want  any 
thing  to  mar  in  the  slightest  degree  her  sojourn  with  her  mother  &  sister. 

6? 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Betty  says  there  is  a  tolerable  school  at  B.  Rouge  for  boys  of  Bobs  age 
sufficient  good  I  hope  to  keep  him  up  to  what  he  has  already  acquired. 
As  to  the  course  to  be  pursued  by  the  boys  as  to  their  professions,  which 
depends  on  so  many  contingencies  that  nothing  at  the  present  time  can 
be  determined  on  with  anything  like  a  certainty  ;  it  will  be  well  if  possi 
ble  to  give  them  good  &  substantial  educations,  after  which  to  be  gov 
erned  by  circumstances  as  they  may  occur  ;  if  John  desires  it  I  should 
very  much  like  to  see  him  in  the  navy  ;  but  the  first  consideration  is  for 
his  health  to  fully  restored.  It  will  depend  on  Bobs  habits  &  turn  of 
mind  whether  I  would  wish  to  see  him  or  not  enter  any  branch  of  the 
public  service,  for  if  his  temper,  habits  &c  were  such  as  to  make  it  prob 
able  he  would  have  to  quit  the  same,  I  certainly  would  prefer  his  not 
making  the  attempt — 

Your  several  letters  accompanied  by  the  "  dirty  sheet "  printed  in 
Matamoros  containing  communication  from  an  officer  here  to  one  in  that 
place,  filled  with  misrepresentations,  &  I  may  say  falsehoods,  as  the  writer 
knew  they  were  untrue,  it  being  a  puppy  belonging  to  one  of  the  Regts. 
of  Artillery  by  the  name  of  Curd1  who  was  in  a  great  hurry  to  leave  the 
country,  was  duly  recd  as  well  as  yours  containing  an  acct  of  Hamiltons 
letter  as  well  as  the  Buffalo  paper  containing  the  same  ;  such  things  are 
beneath  my  notice,  &  do  not  give  me  the  least  concern,  &  I  expect  to  see 
&  hear  of  many  such  squibs  being  fired  at  me,  by  the  envious,  depraved 

&  wicked  ;  Mr  H is  also  very  anxious  to  to  leave  the  country  &  get 

on  the  recruiting  service.  I  have  declined  granting  his  application  in 
regard  to  the  same —  Curd  took  good  care  to  be  well  on  his  way  out 
of  the  country  before  giving  to  the  community  through  his  brother  officer 
his  budget  of  falsehoods  &  misrepresentations  ;  but  so  we  go — 

I  presume  Co1  Taylor  made  a  visit  to  Fort  Polk  before  leaving  for 
Carmargo,  or  this  place,  he  has  not  yet  returned  but  I  look  for  him  in  a 
few  days.  The  attack  referred  to  on  the  courage  or  want  of  it,  as  regards 
a  certain  individual  referred  to  by  you,  is  entirely  without  foundation  & 
gotten  up  for  the  basest  &  most  contemptable  purposes  ;  being  a  base 
slander — 


I  Thomas  J.  Curd  was  born  in  Kentucky  and  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1844,  a  brevet  second  lieutenant. 
He  became  first  lieutenant  of  the  Fourth  Artillery  March  3,  1847,  resigned  from  the  army  December  4,  1847,  and  died  February 
12,  1850. 

68 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

I  expect  to  leave  here  with  a  portion  of  the  commd  in  three  or  four 
days  for  Saltillo,  to  take  possession  of  that  place,  the  enemy  having  fallen 
back  to  San  Luis  Potosi  300  miles  beyond  there  ;  as  soon  as  I  establish 
the  command  that  will  be  left  there,  I  shall  return  here  &  then  act  as 
circumstances  may  in  my  judgment  warrant  or  justify — 

I  hope  when  you  hear  from  Ann  again  she  &  the  children  will  have 
reached  Baton  Rouge  without  accident,  if  not  that  they  will  very  soon  do 
so —  Wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  I  remain 
truly  your 

Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army  Fort  Polk 

P.  S.  I  was  highly  gratified  to  hear  the  health  of  the  troops  at 
Fort  Polk  were  improving,  &  hope  the  hospital  is  nearly  if  not  quite 
completed ;  the  course  pursued  by  you  as  regards  discharging  volunteers 
was  quite  right,  also  as  regards  your  correspondence  with  Heiskill  one 
should  never  commit  himself  in  any  way  even  so  far  as  to  place  himself 
in  a  position  which  could  be  carped  at,  much  less  in  one  which  could  be 
taken  advantage  of.  I  was  pleased  to  hear  you  were  keeping  up  your 
correspondence  with  Dr  Mower,  he  is  an  able  physician  &  surgeon,  as 
well  as  an  accomplished  gentleman  &  scholar.  When  you  next  write 
present  my  respects  to  him — 

Surgeon  Wharton  I  presume  you  have  heard  died  at  Wools  com 
mand  ;  Foot  we  hear  left  that  command,  or  the  comand  him,  quite  ill,  so 
much  so,  it  was  presumed  he  could  not  recover.  Surgn  Harney  has  been 
ordered  to  take  his  place — 

Z.  T. 


Monterey  Mexico  Novr  26th  1846 
My  dear  Dr 

Your  two   letters  of  the   same   date   the   1 5th  ins'  was  this   moment 
recd  one  informing   me   of  dear  Anns  safe  arrival  with   the   children   at 

69 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

B.  Rouge,  except  Bob  who  was  left  at  school  in  Kentucky  which  informa 
tion  was  a  source  of  the  greatest  gratification  to  me,  &  where  I  hope  she 
as  well  as  the  children  will  not  only  continue  to  enjoy  good  health,  but 
will  pass  their  time  as  pleasantly  as  could  be  expected  until  you  are  able 
to  join  them  ;  I  know  it  will  afford  her  mother  the  greatest  gratification 
possible  to  have  them  with  her  at  any  time  &  more  especially  during  my 
absence — 

I  deeply  regret  to  hear  of  the  illness  of  Co1  Taylors  children,  ot 
which  he  has  been  apprized,  &  which  he  is  hardly  in  a  situation  to  bear 
up  against  as  he  might  otherwise  do,  as  his  health  is  very  feeble,  he  is 
just  recovering  from  a  severe  attack  of  sickness.  It  was  a  matter  also 
of  deep  concern  to  learn  the  indisposition  of  my  sister,  she  has  been  the 
child  of  misfortune,  but  a  purer  spirit  never  tenanted  the  bust  of  any 
one,  &  I  hope  her  lot  in  another  world  will  be  as  free  from  sorrow  & 
care,  as  it  has  been  subjected  to  the  same  in  this  life.  I  feel  gratified  for 
the  attentions  shown  Ann  on  her  way  from  Detroit  to  Baton  Rouge,  par 
ticularly  in  Kentucky  ;  the  offer  of  Mr  Tibbets1  to  get  an  appointment 
in  the  navy  for  John,  I  make  no  doubt  was  sincere,  but  how  far  he  has 
the  ability  to  do  so  is  quite  doubtful,  as  I  understand  he  has  left  the 
democratic  ranks,  otherwise  he  would  only  been  under  the  necessity  of 
making  his  wishes  known  in  regard  to  the  same  to  have  secured  it ;  &  it 
may  still  be  the  case,  &  as  he  has  proffered  his  good  offices  in  the  matter 
I  consider  it  would  be  as  well  to  make  use  of  them  as  far  as  they  would 
go,  writing  at  a  proper  time  calling  his  attention  to  his  promises.  As 
Judge  McLean  will  very  soon  be  in  Washington  &  may  call  the  presi 
dents  attention  to  the  subject ;  however  everything  of  the  kind  is  now 
done  through  or  by  political  influence.  I  hope  the  school  Rob  has  been 
placed  at  will  prove  a  good  one  &  that  he  will  be  greatly  benefitted  by 
the  same — 

I  deeply  feel  for  your  good  &  aged  mother  at  the  severe  trial  she 
must  undergo  whenever  the  death  of  your  brother  is  made  known  to  her, 
which  cannot  always  be  concealed  from  her,  &  much  fear  the  announce 
ment  of  it  will  be  more  than  she  can  bear  up  against  &  that  she  will  sink 
under  the  same,  should  &  no  doubt  will  be  broken  to  her  with  the 

I     John  W.  Tibbatts  (i8oz-i85z)  was  a   resident  of  Kentucky  and  was  elected  to  the  twenty-eighth  and  twenty-ninth  con 
gresses  as  a  democrat.     He  served  in  the  Mexican  war  as  a  colonel. 

70 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

utmost  caution  &  the  greatest  delicacy —  Had  he  died  as  I  stated  before 
with  his  family  around  him,  his  loss  alth°  it  would  have  been  severely 
felt  by  them  all,  could  have  been  borne  up  against  by  all  accept  your 
mother  &  perhaps  her,  but  under  the  circumstances  it  will  be  doubly  dis 
tressing,  &  I  greatly  fear  will  have  the  most  unhappy  effects  on  the  neves 
of  his  surviving  parent ;  yet  I  sincerely  hope  for  the  best,  &  that  he  who 
watches  over  &  directs  all  things,  will  enable  her  to  bear  up  at  least  with 
resignation  &  composure  against  this  severest  of  trials  &  afflictions ; 
keeping  in  mind  the  expectation  &  hope  of  meeting  him  in  that  world 
in  which  the  precepts  of  our  holy  religion  teaches  us  to  believe  where 
sorrow  ceases,  &  the  weary  are  at  rest — 

It  must  be  under  all  the  afflictions  of  those  who  he  has  left  to 
mourn  his  untimely  end  a  great  consolation  for  them  to  know  he  died  a 
good  Christian  &  an  honest  man  ;  that  the  affairs  of  others  entrusted  to 
him,  were  found  as  they  should  have  been,  as  well  as  that  he  left  his  wife 
&  children  in  easy  circumstances — 

I  left  here  on  the  13th  ins'  with  part  of  the  comd  for  Saltillo  to  take 
possession  &  occupy  the  same,  where  we  arrived  on  the  16th  &  after 
remaining  there  four  days  making  certain  arrangements  I  returned  here 
without  meeting  with  any  opposition  from  the  enemy,  or  any  occurrence 
taking  place  worthy  of  notice ;  I  got  back  on  the  2jd  &  the  day  after 
recd  the  package  of  papers  you  were  so  good  as  to  send  me,  for  which 
you  have  my  sincere  thanks,  as  well  as  for  the  extracts  cut  out  of  various 
newspapers —  Gen1  Worth  was  left  in  command  at  Saltillo,  with  9  cops 
of  artillery,  the  5th  &  8th  Infy  &  two  comp3  of  2d  Dragoons  ;  besides 
which  I  shall  order  forward  some  reenforcements  to  join  him — 

Gen1  Wools  column  has  turned  out  an  entire  failure,  which,  I  ex 
pected  from  the  first  would  be  the  case,  he  found  after  he  crossed  the  Rio 
Grande  &  reached  to  Monclova,  which  was  about  the  last  of  Octr  that 
his  reaching  Chihuahua  was  pretty  much  an  impossibility,  &  even  if  he 
succeeded  in  doing  so,  it  would  be  of  but  little  avail  if  any,  he  therefore 
proposed  to  join  my  column,  &  about  which  time  I  recd  orders  from 
Washington  to  order  him  to  do  so  ;  from  all  I  can  learn  there  appears  to 
be  much  dissatisfaction  in  his  comd  some  of  which  I  think  he  is  disposed 
for  want  of  a  better  excuse,  to  attribute  to  me  ;  but  in  this  I  may  be  mis 
taken —  If  I  had  his  transportation  which  with  him  has  turned  out 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

entirely  useless,  I  might  have  accomplished  some  what  more  than  I  have 
done— 

I  have  ordered  him  to  take  a  position  at  Parras,  a  town  about  100 
miles  to  the  west  of  Saltillo  in  the  best  grain  country  in  Northern 
Mexico  where  he  can  procure  abundant  supply  of  flour,  corn  &  beef,  & 
where  he  can  unite  with  Worths  comd  should  Santa  Anna  attempt  to 
make  a  move  on  the  latter  at  Saltillo  from  his  present  position  San  Luis 
Potosi — 

The  depc  has  determined  to  hold  on  to  what  we  have  got  in  the 
West,  &  not  to  risk  its  loss  by  pushing  farther  into  the  enemies  country, 
which  I  consider  a  wise  determination  ;  we  shall  therefore  act  only  on  the 
diffinsive  in  this  quarter  ;  in  fact  we  have  advanced  as  far  from  our  base 
in  this  quarter  as  we  ought  to  venture —  The  dep1  however  seems 
anxious  to  take  Vera  Cruz,  &  I  have  been  instructed  if  I  approve  the 
same,  to  detach  a  force  of  4,000  men  one  half  regulars,  the  balance  vol 
unteers  from  the  lower  Rio  Grande,  under  Majr  Gen1  Patterson  on  that 
service  or  for  that  object,  which  I  have  declined  doing,  informing  the 
hon.  Secretary  of  War,  that  I  did  not  consider  less  than  10,000  men 
4000  of  whom  should  be  regulars,  should  be  sent  on  that  duty  ;  that  if 
they  would  organize  in  the  States  6,000  efficient  men,  send  them  to  Vera 
Cruz  with  all  the  necessary  tools,  battering  train,  as  well  as  everything 
else  necessary  for  carrying  on  the  most  active  operations  on  landing,  & 
would  let  me  know  in  season,  I  would  try  &  detach  4000  to  join  them, 
under  Gen1  P.  or  any  one  else  they  might  designate — 

It  appears  that  Tampico  has  been  taken  possession  of  by  the  navy, 
which  they  speak  of  as  having  been  done  as  by  force  on  their  part,  say 
ing  it  was  an  unconditional  surrender  ;  the  fact  is  the  place  was  evacuated 
some  time  before  they  went  there  ;  brought  about  by  the  defeat  of  the 
enemy  here,  who  removed  their  cannon  &  other  military  &  public  stores 
long  before  the  navy  went  there — 

1  calculate  on  sending  down  a  comd  which  I  may  accompany  should 
nothing  occur  to  prevent  my  doing  so,  as  far  as  Victoria,  the  capital  of 
Tamaulipas,  &  perhaps  to  Tampico  which  is  now  or  will  be  very  soon 
garrisoned  by  8  cornp8  of  artillery,  &  will  be  strengthened  as  soon  as  pos 
sible  by  a  Reg1  of  volunteers —  Among  other  objects  I  have  in  view  in 
going  down  is  to  ascertain  the  practicability  or  otherwise  of  sending 

72 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

wheel  carriages  through  any  of  the  passes  of  the  mountains  between  this 
point  &  the  gulf — 

The  congress  of  both  nations  will  be  in  session  in  a  few  days,  & 
alth°  prospects  are  unfavorable  for  doing  so  at  present,  yet  I  truly  hope 
before  they  seperate  something  will  be  done  to  bring  about  a  settlement 
of  all  existing  difficulties  between  the  two  countries.  At  any  rate  I  am 
very  desirous  to  know  what  our  congress  will  do  in  the  matter  ;  whether 
or  not  they  will  vote  the  men  &  money  necessary  for  prosecuting  the 
war  with  vigor ;  some  say  it  has  already  cost  two  hundred  millions ;  but 
I  presume  that  is  greatly  beyond  the  facts  in  the  case — 

Wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity 

I  remain  Truly 

&  Sincerely  your  Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURG"  R.  C.  WOOD 

Fort  Polk  Texas 

P.  S.  This  will  be  taken  down  by  Co1  T.  who  alth°  barely  conval 
escent  leave  to-morrow  for  Matamoros,  &  will  perhaps  go  to  Brasos  & 
Point  Isabell,  his  health  permitting 

I  inclose  agreeable  to  your  request  the  handsome  &  gratifying 
notices  on  the  subject  of  your  brothers  disappearance  &c  which  must  be 
gratifying  to  his  family  &  friends — 

Yours  of  the  iyth  was  recd  a  few  hours  since — 


Monterey  Mexico 

Decr  ioth  1846 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  very  welcome  &  interesting  letter  of  the  2ist  ult°  was  duly 
recd  as  well  as  a  number  of  extracts  from  various  newspapers  in  relation 
to  the  Mexican  War,  our  operations  against  Monterey  as  well  as  some 
other  matters  of  interest,  for  all  of  which  you  have  my  sincere  thanks. 
Cap1  Eaton  my  aid  got  back  here  on  or  about  the  30th  ult°  but  brought 
not  a  particle  of  intelligence  with  him  of  interest  on  any  subject ;  from 

73 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

what  he  could  learn  while  at  Washington,  I  am  satisfied  the  authorities 
there  were  at  a  loss  what  to  do,  whether  to  push  our  operations  farther  in 
this  direction  which  cannot  be  very  well  done,  to  hold  on  to  what  we  have 
got,  or  to  operate  against  Vera  Cruz  ;  I  am  however  of  opinion  but  little 
will  be  done  until  the  president  has  time  to  consult  congress  in  regard  to 
the  farther  prosecution  of  the  war,  conforming  to  the  views  of  a  majority 
of  his  party  in  regard  to  the  same.  The  next  three  months  will  in  all 
probability  bring  about  important  results  as  regards  this  War,  the  great 
national  councils  it  is  supposed  of  both  countries  being  now  in  session, 
I  hope  they  will  not  seperate  or  break  up,  without  bringing  about  a  peace 
between  us,  or  laying  the  foundation  of  one  ;  for  if  it  is  not  done  &  that 
in  a  few  month  it  may  continue  for  several  years,  far  beyond  what  any 
of  us  calculate  on.  I  regret  to  hear  that  Dr  Russell  has  returned  in  bad 
health  as  I  had  hoped  &  expected  that  his  visit  to  the  North  would  have 
completely  set  him  up  again.  Surgn  Finlay  has  not  mentioned  the  sub 
ject  of  a  transfer  with  him  or  any  one  else — 

I  recd  a  letter  about  a  week  since  from  Betty  at  B.  Rouge  of  the 
9th  ult°  informing  me  that  Ann  &  all  the  children  had  reached  there  in 
good  health  &  without  accident.  I  concluded  as  a  matter  of  course  that 
there  had  been  some  outbreak  with  Bob,  for  had  he  been  left  behind, 
Betty  would  have  mentioned  it.  I  must  say  I  regret  his  leaving,  as  his 
doing  so  must  distress  his  mother,  besides  evincing  a  disposition  not  to 
be  controled  which  may  greatly  injure  if  not  prevent  his  succeeding  in 
any  of  the  various  pursuits  through  life,  but  this  nor  any  thing  els  should 
prevent  us  from  doing  the  best  we  could  for  him,  leaving  the  results  to 
providence.  Betty  says  there  was  respectable  schools  at  Baton  Rouge  for 
all  of  them,  &  they  had  all  been  entered  at  them,  &  commenced  attend 
ance  the  morning  she  wrote  ;  &  I  hope  they  will  at  any  rate  not  lose  any 
portion  of  what  they  have  already  acquired  ;  if  John  continues  in  deli 
cate  health  it  might  be  advantageous  for  him  to  make  a  visit  to  Fort  Polk 
&  spend  a  few  days  with  you  ;  but  I  hope  there  will  be  no  necessity  for 
him  to  do  so,  &  that  a  winter  at  B.  Rouge  will  fully  reestablish  his 
health — 

The  state  in  which  your  brother  left  the  business  intrusted  to  him 
ought  to  be  &  no  doubt  is  a  source  of  great  gratification  to  his  family  & 
friends,  &  it  is  highly  creditable  to  his  memory,  at  the  same  time  I  am 

74 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

not  a  little  surprised  at  the  small  amc  you  state  he  has  accumilated  ;  but 
the  high  character  he  has  left  his  children  will  be  a  better  legacy  to  them, 
&  ought  to  be  more  highly  prized  by  them  than  thousands  under  other 
circumstances —  It  is  a  pitty  your  good  mother  should  ever  be  made 
acquainted  or  undeceived  in  regard  to  his  fate  ;  I  presume  there  cannot  be 
doubt  of  his  having  accidentally  fallen  overboard. 

If  this  war  is  to  continue  congress  will  have  to  double  the  army, 
increase  the  pay  of  the  rank  &  file  so  as  to  induce  enlistments  as  it  will 
be  found  out  of  the  question  to  carry  it  on  much  longer  with  volunteers  ; 
those  now  here  are  beginning  to  look  many  of  them  to  their  homes  with 
much  anxiety,  &  will  leave  the  moment  if  not  before  their  time  expires, 
&  of  course  will  have  to  be  replaced  before  leaving,  so  that  we  must  have 
a  double  set  or  double  the  number  of  that  descript  of  troops  needed  to 
carry  on  the  war,  under  pay  at  the  same  time ;  which  in  addition  to 
rations,  transportation  of  every  kind  &  their  waste  of  public  property, 
would  in  a  few  years  break  down  any  treasury  in  the  world  ;  but  this  I 
will  leave  to  the  wise  legislators  &  other  dignitaries  of  the  land,  to  find 
out  &  apply  the  corrective  in  this  as  well  as  other  matters.  That  the 
war  is  an  unpopular  one,  as  regards  a  majority  of  the  people  of  the 
country  there  cannot  be  a  doubt,  &  the  result  of  the  recent  elections  in 
some  of  the  large  states  proves  conclusively  that  owing  to  the  war,  tarif, 
vetoing  the  appropriations  for  improving  rivers  &  harbors,  Mr  Polk  & 
his  immediate  advisers  are  completely  broken  down  for  the  present ; 
there  must  be  a  majority  in  the  lower  branch  of  the  national  legisla 
ture  against  them  after  the  4th  of  March  next  so  as  to  embarrass  all  their 
operations  ;  how  it  will  all  end  time  must  determine,  &  I  must  say  I 
look  forward  with  great  anxiety  as  to  the  cors  of  things  in  our  present 
congress  as  well  as  in  that  of  Mexico  connected  with  this  war —  I  am 
fully  sensible  as  well  as  duly  grateful  that  the  people  or  a  majority  of 
them  have  &  and  are  ready  to  award  me  an  ample  share  of  credid  for  my 
sacrifices  in  this  war  notwithstanding  the  open  &  covert  attacks  &  insinua 
tions  of  numerous  letterwriters  &  other,  envious  &  sycophantic  who 
envy  acts  they  cannot  emulate  or  are  not  inclined  to  accomplish  ;  but  are 
anxious  to  reduce  their  superiors  to  a  level  with  themselves  by  detraction 
of  the  basest  kind,  &  description,  in  a  way  which  they  cannot  be  detected  ; 
however  so  far  as  I  am  concerned  their  insinuations  or  attacks  give  me 

75 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

no  concern  ;  as  to  the  attack,  movement  &c  on  Monterey  they  origin 
ated  with  me,  as  well  as  finding  the  means  of  transportation,  which  the 
agents  of  the  gov*  was  not  able  to  supply  after  trying  four  or  five  months, 
is  as  Mr  Vanburen1  would  say,  "  glory  enough  for  me,"  &  to  spare  a 
considerable  quantity  to  others  who  deserve  but  little,  which  they  are  dis 
posed  to  make  a  great  deal  of,  for  themselves  and  their  employers  at  the 
expense  of  truth,  &c.  There  is  now  but  little  reliance  to  be  placed  on 
most  of  those  filling  prominent  places,  or  those  who  are  overrly  anxious 
to  do  so.  The  late  elections  or  rather  their  results  I  think  will  prevent 
many  of  those  of  the  present  party  in  power,  who  are  looking  forward  to 
the  White  House  from  assailing  me,  as  their  hopes  in  regard  to  the  same 
must  be  at  an  end  for  some  years  to  come  ;  &  the  whigs  I  trust  as  their 
prospects  are  brightening  will  fix  on  some  able  politician  to  fill  that  high 
station  without  connecting  my  name  with  the  same  ;  for  could  I  reach 
the  presidency  by  announcing  publicly  my  wishes  to  that  effect,  I  cer 
tainly  would  never  arrive  at  the  same  ;  at  the  same  time  I  will  not  say  I 
would  not  serve  if  the  good  people  were  to  be  inprudent  enough  as  to 
elect  me  ;  but  I  would  much  prefer  at  the  close  of  the  present  war,  in  a 
great  measure  to  retire  from  the  bustle  of  public  life,  &  to  pass  the  few 
days  or  years  which  may  be  alotted  me  in  quietness  if  not  in  retirement — 

I  shall  leave  here  in  a  few  days  for  Victoria  &  some  other  towns 
situated  at  the  foot  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  &  may  go  as  far  as  Tampico 
with  a  portion  of  my  comd  for  the  purpose  of  taking  possession  of  & 
occupying  some  two  or  said  towns,  as  well  as  to  make  myself  acquainted 
with  the  several  passes  through  the  mountains  referred  to,  in  the  direction 
of  San  Luis  Potosi,  how  far  they  can  be  used  for  wheel  carriages  &c 
should  it  be  found  necessary  to  push  our  operations  in  that  direction — 

The  arrangement  you  suggested  as  regards  Dr  Russell  was  this 
moment  laid  before  me  by  Surgn  Finlay  &  the  same  complied  with — 

I  do  not  expect  to  return  to  Monterey  from  my  trip  above  referred 
to  short  of  six  weeks  unless  some  movement  of  the  enemy  should  render 


I  Martin  Van  Buren  was  born  in  Kinderhook,  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  December  5,  1782,  and  died  there  July  24,  1862. 
For  many  years  he  was  active  in  New  York  state  politics.  He  was  elected  a  senator  of  the  United  States  in  1821  and  was 
re-elected  in  1827  but  resigned  to  accept  the  governorship  of  the  state,  to  which  he  was  elected  in  1828.  In  1832  he  was  elected 
vice-president  of  the  United  States  on  the  ticket  with  Andrew  Jackson  and  in  1836  was  elected  to  the  presidency,  defeating  Wil 
liam  Henry  Harrison  and  other  whigs.  In  1840  he  was  defeated  by  General  Harrison.  In  1848  he  was  nominated  by  the  free 
soil  democrats,  and  his  candidacy,  which  split  the  democratic  vote,  enabled  General  Taylor,  the  whig  candidate,  to  triumph  over 
Lewis  Cass.  Thereafter  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  only  a  spectator  in  the  arena  of  politics. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

it  necessary  for  me  to  do  so ;  so  you  need  hardly  expect  to  hear  from 
me  before  that  time  ;  I  now  write  under  constant  interruption  &  am 
doubtful  of  your  being  able  to  read  what  I  have  written — 

Wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  I  remain  truly 

&  sincerely 

Your  Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

Fort  Polk  Texas 


Hd  Q9  Ay  of  Occupation  or  Invasion 

Monterey  Mexico  Decr  13th  1846 
Dear  Doctor, 

I  wrote  you  a  day  or  two  ago  which  letter  I  intended  to  send  by  the 
mail,  which  leaves  to-day,  &  will  do  so,  so  that  this  will  accompany  it ; 
since  closing  it,  the  express  got  here  from  Camargo  bringing  me  your 
interesting  letters  of  the  26th  28th  &  30th  ult°  but  nothing  beyond  the 
Brasos — 

As  regards  the  taking  possession  of  Tampico,  I  had  recd  a  report 
from  Co1  Gates1  after  his  arrival  there  in  regard  to  the  same  stating  that 
he  had  relieved  the  sailors  &  marines,  left  there  to  garrison  it,  which  was 
all  very  well ;  alth°  he  communicates  but  little  information  of  interest 
derived  from  the  heroine  of  the  Navy,  or  from  any  other  source — 

A  copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Perry2  to  Majr  Gardner,  about 
the  necessity  of  sending  more  troops  parading  before  the  eyes  of  no 
doubt  the  astonished  Majr  the  great  names  of  Governor  Johnson,  of 


1  William  Gates  (1788-1868)  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in   1806  and  served   fifty-seven  years  in  the  army, 
retiring  in  1863  as  a  brigadier-general  by  brevet.     He  took  an  important  part  in  the  War  of  1812,  served  on  the  frontier,  and  was 
then  sent  to  Florida,  where  he  personally  captured  Osceola.      During  the  war  with  Mexico  he  was  colonel  of  the  Third  Artillery, 
and  from  1846  to  1848  acted  as  governor  of  Tampico.     Collinson  Reed  Gates,  previously  mentioned  (note  4,  page  2),  was  his  son. 

2  Christopher  Raymond  Perry  (1761-1818)  was  made  post-captain  in  the  navy  in  1798.     He  had  five  sons,  all  of  whom  became 
naval  officers— Oliver  Hazard,  Raymond  H.  J.,  Matthew  Calbraith,  James  Alexander,  and  Nathanael  Hazard.      General  Taylor 
refers  in  the  text  to  Matthew  Calbraith  Perry  (1794-1858),  who  entered  the  navy  in  1809.      He  saw  considerable  service  in  various 
parts  of  the  world  and  was  such  a  scholarly  man  that  in  after  years  he  was  spoken  of  as  "a  chief  educator  of  the  United  States  navy." 
He  was  made  a  captain  in  1837.      In  the  Mexican  war  he  had  oversight  of  the  steam  navy  and  captured  and  occupied  many  of  the 
landing  places  along  the  Mexican  coast.     When  it  was  found  that  General  Scott's  light  artillery  was  unable  to  breach  the  walls  at 
Vera  Cruz,  Perry  landed  six  of  the  heaviest  guns  of  his  fleet,  sent  crews  of  his  best  gunners  ashore  and  in  two  days  the  sailors  tired 
1,300  rounds,  reduced  the  walls  to  rubbish  and  made  a  breach  fifty  feet  wide,  thus  enabling  the  army  to  capture  the  city  and  begin 
the  march  into  the  interior.     He  organized  and  commanded  the  memorable  expedition  to  Japan  in  1853. 

77 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Louisiana,  &  Genls  Jesup  &  Brook,1  to  back  his  judgment  in  regard  to 
this  matter  of  such  vital  importance,  which  has  given  me  a  contemptable 
opinion  of  the  Comme  as  it  was  all  to  gloryfy  himself  in  connection  with 
his  trip  to  N.  Orleans,  for  taking  possession  of  a  fortified  place  which  he 
must  have  known  was  abandoned  by  the  enemy  some  time  before  he 
went  there,  as  the  Mexican  commander  in  chief,  gave  the  order  for 
doing  so,  which  was  published  in  the  n.  papers  in  the  City  of  Mexico  & 
recd  here  near  or  quite  a  month  since,  but  the  "  lord  deliver  me  "  from 
all  locofocoes2  may  I  ever  pray  ;"  but  entertain  a  more  contempable 
opinion  of  Brook  &  Jesup,  the  former  however  ought  to  be  excused  as 
being  a  mess  of  wax  in  the  hands  of  the  later,  if  they  in  any  way  advised, 
that  the  destination  of  the  troops  ordered  here,  or  any  portion  of  them, 
should  be  changed  to  Tampico,  particularly  the  seven  comps  of  mounted 
Rifles  under  Majr  Burbridge,  or  any  portion  of  the  recruits  sent  out  for 
the  Regte  here  &  in  my  advance,  much  less  if  either  of  those  gentlemen 
took  the  responsibility  of  giving  any  orders  to  that  effect,  which  I  can 
hardly  suppose  was  the  case  ;  as  to  Govr  Johnson  as  a  matter  of  course 
he  would  acquiesce  in  any  suggestions  as  regarded  the  subject  in  ques 
tion,  which  the  individuals  referred  to  would  make,  not  understanding 
anything  about  it.  It  is  impossible  operations  of  a  successful  character 
can  be  carried  on  against  the  enemy  if  orders  are  given  by  irresponsible 
individuals  in  my  rear  &  the  destination  of  troops  changed  ordered  out 
to  reenforce  me  without  my  knowledge  or  authority.  This  Tampico 
affair  seems  to  have  turned  the  heads  of  most  of  those  in  authority  in 
my  rear  between  this  &  N.  Orleans,  including  Gen1  Patterson ;  Mr. 
Marcy's  having  been  in  that  state  for  some  time  past.  Well  might 
Gen1  Scott  dread  a  fire  in  his  rear,  with  such  people  to  do  with.  I  con 
sider  Gates  comd  was  fully  sufficient  for  the  safety  of  Tampico,  yet  I 
ordered  him  to  be  reenforced  by  two  additional  comps  of  artillery  Nor 
mans  &  Vannesses,  &  a  Reg{  of  Volunteers  ;  I  look  on  that  place  as  of 
no  consequence  unless  there  is  a  road  from  it  for  wheel  carriages  to  San 

I  George  Mercer  Brooke  was  born  in  Virginia  and  died  in  San  Antonio,  Texas,  March  9,  1851.  He  entered  the  army  in 
1808,  served  gallantly  during  the  War  of  1811,  became  brevet  brigadier-general  in  1824,  fought  during  the  Mexican  war,  and  in 
1848  received  the  brevet  of  major-general. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Luis  Potisi,  or  to  the  City  of  Mexico  over  which  an  army  could  operate, 
which  from  all  the  information  I  have  been  able  to  collect,  I  am  inclined 
to  believe  is  not  the  case,  notwithstanding  I  intend  to  have  that  matter 
fully  ascertained  by  our  Topographical  engineers  ;  if  found  to  be  im 
practicable  the  best  thing  which  could  be  done  with  Tampico,  would  be 
to  destroy  the  fortifications  &  abandon  it,  leaving  one  of  our  small  armed 
vessels  to  prevent  any  intercourse  with  it  by  Sea.  On  the  contrary,  if  a 
practicable  ro?.d  should  be  found  from  it  to  either  of  the  named  places  it 
will  be  of  great  importance  both  as  a  dep'  &  base  to  operate  from. 
Otherwise  the  services  of  every  man  left  there  would  be  pretty  much 
thrown  away  whether  we  march  against  San  Louis,  or  go  to  Vera  Cruz, 
for  if  the  first  should  be  taken  Tampico  would  have  fallen  as  a  matter 
of  course. 

I  wish  those  authorised  to  do  so,  to  inform  me  so  far  as  my  com 
mand  is  concerned,  or  those  placed  under  my  orders  as  to  what  they  wish 
done,  after  which  let  there  be  no  improper  interference  at  Washington  or 
between  there  &  my  hd  Qus 

On  the  subject  of  the  request  of  the  artillery  Compy  of  Newport 
Road  Island,  I  would  very  gladly  comply  with  their  wishes  if  I  felt 
authorized  to  do  so  ;  but  as  that  was  not  the  case,  I  have  refferred  the 
matter  to  the  dep£  recommending  in  strong  terms  that  the  application 
should  be  favorably  acted  on,  which  I  hope  will  be  the  case — 

I  make  no  doubt  Jesup  come  out  to  N.  Orleans  to  be  ready  to 
take  advantage  of  any  thing  which  might  occur  to  give  him  a  comd  here, 
or  any  thing  else  that  he  could  make  capital  out  of;  he  has  been  angling 
all  his  life  for  popularity,  in  more  ways  than  one  ;  the  idia  attempted  to 
be  played  off  on  the  community,  that  he  come  out  to  attend  to  the  duties 
of  his  dept  will  do  for  some  who  do  not  understand  him  ;  but  those  that 
know  him  are  aware  that  was  a  mere  pretext ;  But  be  all  this  as  it  may,  I 
have  not  the  slightest  objection  to  his  or  any  one  else  being  assigned  to  a 
command  here,  if  they  should  supersede  me — 

I  have  no  doubt  many  of  Webs1  statements  as  communicated  to 
him  by  Cass,  are  entirely  correct,  particularly  as  to  the  course  of  the 
administration  in  regard  to  appointments,  both  civil  &  military,  they  must 


I     Possibly  he  means  James  Watson  Webb  of  New  York,  whose  newspaper,  the  "Courier  and  Enquirer,"  was  the  chief  organ 
of  the  whig  party. 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

&  will  all  be  made  from  the  dominant  party.  If  John  succeeds  in  get 
ting  into  the  Navy,  it  must  be  through  political  influence,  &  Ann  must 
hold  Co1  Tibbatts  to  his  promise,  who  is  a  good  locofoco  or  was,  &  no 
doubt  can  have  him  appointed  if  he  will  make  an  application  to  that 
effect  which  I  make  no  doubt  he  will  do  if  reminded  of  the  same.  I 
have  been  detained  here  several  days  longer  than  I  calculated  on,  but  will 
leave  early  to-morrow  morning  for  Linares  Victoria  &c,  part  of  the 
command  having  left  yesterday  for  those  places,  &  the  balance  this  morn 
ing.  Nothing  new  from  our  front  or  in  fact  from  any  other  quarter — 

In  commencing  my  letter  after  writing  over  the  first  side  of  the 
sheet,  by  a  mistake  being  very  much  interrupted  I  skipped  by  mistake 
the  other  side  which  is  left  blank,  but  continued  on  the  next  which  is 
numbered,  so  that  you  will  find  no  difficulty  in  making  it  out — 

Co1  Taylor  left  here  about  two  weeks  since  in  quite  feeble  health,  I 
feel  very  uneasy  about  him.  Wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  & 
prosperity  I  remain  truly  &  sincerely 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  A  Fort  Polk 
Texas. 


Monterey  Mexico  Janr?  26th  1847 
My  dear  Dr 

I  wrote  you  from  Victoria  about  the  15th  ins*  informing  you  of 
occurrences  as  regarded  the  unpleasant  position  in  regard  to  military 
matters  in  which  I  had  been  placed  in  up  to  that  time ;  that  I  had  been 
stripped  of  nearly  the  whole  of  the  regular  force  &  more  than  one  half 
of  the  Volunteers,  &  ordered  here  to  act  on  the  defensive  ;  I  left  the 
next  day  for  this  place,  &  reached  here  without  accident  on  the  23d  & 
was  disappointed  in  not  finding  letters  on  my  arrival  from  Baton  Rouge, 
not  having  recd  a  letter  from  there  for  some  time,  but  was  gratified  to 
hear  when  Bob  left  there  &  you  last  heard,  all  were  in  the  enjoyment 
of  good  health,  which  I  truly  &  sincerely  hope  will  continue  to  be  the 
case — 

80 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TATLOR 

On  my  way  back  I  recd  several  letters  from  you,  with  several  in- 
closures  of  extracts  from  various  papers,  &  one  or  two  late  papers,  but 
which  contain  but  little  of  importance ;  the  proceedings  of  congress 
which  have  reached  us,  being  only  a  few  days  after  the  meeting  of  that 
body,  but  for  all  of  which  I  sincerely  that  you.  I  do  not  recollect  the 
exact  dates  of  your  several  interesting  letters  but  was  particularly  gratified 
at  the  extract  from  Johns  letter  contained  in  one  of  yours,  both  as  to 
stile  &  the  sentiments  therein  contained,  &  alth°  I  most  heartily  wish  him 
success  as  his  heart  appears  to  be  fixed  on  a  life  of  that  description,  but  I 
greatly  fear  he  is  doomed  to  disappointment,  &  deeply  regret  I  have  not 
the  power  to  aid  him,  as  I  feel  satisfied  from  his  disposition  capacity  &c 
he  would  succeed  in  the  profession,  &  if  his  life  was  spared  he  would 
reach  an  enviable  position  in  that  branch  of  the  public  service  ;  my  only 
expectation  or  hope  for  him  is  that  Mr  Mason1  may  have  magnanimity 
enough  to  appoint  him,  disregarding  party  considerations  ;  I  have  not 
the  slightest  respect  for  any  other  member  of  the  cabinet ;  alth°  not  per 
sonally  acquainted  with  him,  I  learn  he  is  a  gentleman  of  integrity  & 
firmness,  &  if  he  does  not  receive  the  same  on  the  letters  you  wrote  on 
the  subject  to  different  individuals,  he  may  at  once  abandon  all  hopes,  & 
turn  his  attention  to  some  other  pursuit  or  profession  ;  his  going  to  sea 
except  in  the  public  service,  I  consider  a  bad  business,  as  there  are  no 
lack  of  other  pursuits  in  our  country,  more  desirable,  &  it  is  yet  time 
enough  for  him  to  determine  on  some  other  ;  at  the  same  time  let  him 
pursue  his  studies  with  zeal  &  persevrance  as  heretofore,  &  all  I  hope 
will  yet  go  well  with  him — 

Before  this  reaches  you  I  presume  the  whole  of  the  troops  destined 
for  Vera  Cruz,  will  have  embarked  for  that  place,  who  were  assembled  at 
Brasos  for  that  object,  &  have  proceed  on  their  way  to  their  place  of  des 
tination  ;  I  cannot  know  what  force  will  be  left  behind,  until  Gen1  S. 
completes  his  command,  either  regulars  or  volunteers  ;  whether  any  of 
the  new  Regts  have  arrived  of  Volunteers,  I  have  not  learned  but  pre 
sume  it  is  the  case  ;  if  so,  what  disposition  is  to  be  made  of  them,  I  have 
not  yet  been  made  acquainted  as  to  the  same  ;  it  seems  to  me  the  great 
object  so  far  as  I  am  concerned  or  connected  with  conducting  or  the 


i     John  W.  Mason  of  Virginia  (1799-1859)  was  the  fifth   man  who  held  the  office  of  secretary  of  the   navy  under  President 
Tyler.     He  served  also  for  three  years  under  President  Polk  and  was  minister  to  England  from   1854  to  '859. 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

management  of  the  war  in  this  quarter,  is  to  keep  me  as  much  in  the 
dark  in  regard  to  the  same  as  it  was  possible  to  do  ;  particularly  as  far  as 
the  authorities  at  Washington  are  concerned.  I  feel  some  anxiety  to 
know  whether  or  not  Co1  Taylor  accompanied  the  expidition  to  Vera 
Cruz  ;  you  as  a  matter  of  course  I  presume  was  left  behind — 

About  the  1 5th  ins' a  young  officer  who  was  sent  by  Gen1  Butler, 
Lc  Richey1  of  the  5th  Infr  with  copies  of  Gen1  Scotts  orders  to  him  Gen1 
B.  to  detach  all  the  regular  troops  to  Brasos,  imprudently  halted  for  the 
night  at  a  small  village  between  this  &  Victoria,  left  or  got  a  short  dis 
tance  from  his  escort  after  dark,  &  was  murdered  &  his  despatches  taken, 
&  are  no  doubt  ere  this  in  possession  of  Gen1  Santa  Anna — 

I  stated  in  my  last  letter  from  Victoria  to  you  my  impression  & 
feelings  at  the  way  in  which  I  had  been  treated  by  those  who  happened 
to  have  the  power  to  do  so  at  Washington  &  elsewhere  &  deem  it  un 
necessary  to  allude  particularly  to  it  at  this  time — 

I  found  matters  &  things  here  rather  in  a  gloomy  state,  but  it  is 
possible  I  may  look  on  the  dark  side  of  the  picture,  &  trust  I  do  ; 
hoping  after  a  short  time  everything  will  become  bright  &  cheerful  at 
any  rate  in  appearances.  Gen1  Lane2  of  the  Indianna  Volunteers  sta 
tioned  at  Saltillo  60  or  70  miles  in  advance  of  this  place  where  there  is  a 
considerable  force  stationed,  writes  to  Gen1  Butler,  which  communication 
was  recd  last  night,  that  a  Majr  Boland^  of  the  Arkensas  mounted  men 
who  had  been  sent  out  with  one  comp^  of  his  Reg1  on  the  San  Luis 
Potosi  road  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  &  gain  intelligence 
had  been  surprised  &  the  whole  captured ;  as  no  official  report  has  been 
made  of  this  affair  by  Gen1  Wool  who  is  in  command  of  the  troops  sta- 


1  John  A.  Richy  was  born  in  Ohio  and  was  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy  in  1845.     He  became  second  lieutenant  of 
the  Fifth  Infantry  June  29,  1846,  and  was  murdered  by  Mexicans  January  13,  1847,  while  the  bearer  of  despatches. 

2  James  Henry  Lane  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg,  Ind.,  June  22, 1814,  and  died  by  his  own   hand,  while  his  mind  was  unbal 
anced,  near  Leavcnworth,  Kan.,  July  I,  1866.     In  May,  1846,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Third  Indiana  regiment  of  volunteers, 
was  chosen  colonel,  and  commanded  a  brigade  at  Buena  Vista.      He  became  colonel  of  the  Fifth   Indiana  in   1847,  was  elected 
lieutenant-general  of  the  state  in  1848,  served  in  congress  from  1853  to  1855,  and  then  removed  to  Kansas,  where  he  took  a  very 
active  part  in  the  political  and  military  movements  of  ante-bellum  days.      He  was  elected  a  senator  from   Kansas  in  1861  on  the 
admission  of  the  territory  to  statehood  and  was  re-elected  in  1865.      For  a  short  time  after  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  was  a 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers. 

3  For  Solon  Borland,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  and  died  in  Texas,  January  31,  1864.      He  was  educated  in  North  Carolina, 
removed  to  Arkansas,  served  in  the  Mexican  war  as  major  in  Yell's  cavalry,  and  was  taken  prisoner  with  Major  Gaines  in  January, 
1847.     He  was  discharged  when  his  troop  was  disbanded  in  June  of  that  year,  but  continued  in  the  service  as  a  volunteer  aide-de 
camp  to  General  Worth  to  the  close  of  the  war.     After  his  return  to  Arkansas  he  was  appointed  to  the  senate  of  the  United  States. 
After  a  service  of  five  years  he  was  appointed  minister  to  the  Central  American  states.      He  was  there   a  year  and  when  at  the  vil 
lage  of  San  Juan  de  Nicaragua,  on   his  way  to  the  United  States,  he  was  attacked  by  a  mob.     This  insult  was  the  chief  ground  for 
the  bombardment  and  destruction  of  the  village  (Greytown)  by  the  sloop  of  war  Cyane,  July  13,  1854,  under  instructions  from  the 
government  of  the  United  States.      When  Arkansas  passed  a   resolution  of  secession,   Mr.  Borland  went  with  his  state  and  was 
advanced  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  in  the  military  service  of  the  Confederacy. 

82 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

tioned  at  Saltillo  &  vicinity,  I  trust  there  is  some  mistake  in  the  matter 
&  that  it  will  turn  out  to  be  incorrect ;  if  true,  I  shall  proceed  to  that 
place  immediately  where  I  shall  establish  my  Hd  Qrs  &  put  things  in  the 
condition  to  meet  the  enemy.  If  however  the  information  proves  erroni- 
ous,  I  shall  defer  going  until  the  6th  or  yth  of  Febr?  when  I  expect  to 
remain  there  until  I  am  relieved  by  an  order  from  Washington,  which  I 
hope  will  be  given  in  a  great  while  accompanied  by  permission  for  me  to 
leave  the  country — 

I  hope  you  took  Bob  up  to  see  Matamoros  &  that  he  was  quite 
pleased  with  his  visit  there ;  remember  me  most  affectionately  to  him,  & 
say  to  him  I  hope  he  will  very  soon  return  to  B.  Rouge,  &  commence 
his  school  operations  with  renewed  application  so  as  to  make  up  for  the 
time  he  had  lost  in  making  you  a  visit.  Also  my  kindest  regards  to 
Co1  T.  should  you  meet  with  him,  &  wishing  you  continued  health  & 

prosperity  I  remain  truly  &  sincerely 

Your  Friend 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  A.  Fort  Polk  Texas 


Monterey  Mexico  Jan?  30*  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

I  wrote  you  a  few  days  since  immediately  on  my  return  here  from 
Victoria,  where  I  had  intend  to  have  remained  a  short  time  to  have 
recruited  a  little  after  being  I  may  [say]  constantly  in  the  saddle  for  six 
weeks  ;  &  until  Gen1  Scott  left  the  Brasos  taking  with  him  what  portion 
of  the  force  in  my  rear,  he  might  think  proper,  after  striping  me  in  front 
&  on  my  flanks,  so  that  I  might  make  the  best  disposition  I  might  deem 
most  advisable  for  the  defence  of  the  enemies  country  we  have  taken 
possession  of;  but  information  from  the  advance  at  Saltillo  60  or  70 
miles  in  front  of  this  place,  which  is  that  Majr  Gaines1  accompanied  by 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Capc  C.  M.  Clay1  &  his  company,  &  Majr  Borland  with  Cap*  Donally  & 
comfy  the  first  K^  mounted  men,  the  latter  Arkensas  reg*  in  all  80  or  90 
men  who  were  sent  out  on  the  San  Luis  Potosi  road,  to  gain  intelligence 
of  the  movements  &  position  of  the  enemy,  had  been  surprised,  killed 
or  made  prisoners,  not  one  escaping  to  tell  the  news  ;  this  is  official ;  & 
an  other  report  has  this  moment  reached  me,  that  an  other  corny  of  the 
same  regf  had  the  day  after  been  captured,  alth°  coming  from  high 
authority,  it  is  a  report  only,  &  I  sincerely  hope  is  untrue  ;  be  this  as 
it  may,  I  shall  leave  at  day  light  to-morrow,  for  that  portion  of  the  army 
left  me  with  a  reenforcement  of  700  men,  &  hope  if  it  has  been  lost,  to 
restore  confidence  among  them  if  possible.  It  is  reported  also  that,  the 
enemy  are  in  force  principally  cavalry,  in  the  vicinity  of  Saltillo  with  large 
reenforcements  on  the  way  to  join  them  from  San  Luis  Potosi.  Be  this 
as  it  may,  should  they  offer  us  battle  I  shall  indulge  them,  be  the  con 
sequences  what  they  may.  We  now  begin  to  see  the  fruits  of  the  arrange 
ments  recently  made  at  Washington,  by  an  intrigue  of  Marcey,  Scott  & 
Worth  to  take  from  me  nearly  the  whole  of  the  regular  forces  under  my 
command,  while  in  the  immediate  front  of  the  enemy  if  not  in  their 
presance — 

By  a  mail  which  reached  here  last  night,  by  which  I  recd  nothing 
public  or  private,  bringing  papers  from  the  East,  Washington  dates  up 
to  the  first  ins1  it  seems  that  great  changes  are  contemplated  in  the  army, 
not  on  by  adding  a  number  of  additional  regular  troops,  but  that  the 
office  of  Ll  Gen1  will  be  recommended  by  the  president,  which  will  be 
confirred  on  Thos  H.  Benton  should  a  law  to  the  effect  be  passed  by 


I  Cassius  M.  Clay,  whose  career  was  most  extraordinary.  He  was  born  in  Madison  county,  Ky.,  October  19,  1810,  was 
graduated  from  Yale  in  1832,  and  became  a  violent  abolitionist,  under  the  teachings  of  William  Lloyd  Garrison.  On  his  return 
to  Kentucky  he  was  elected  several  times  to  the  legislature,  but  being  defeated  on  account  of  his  anti-slavery  views  he  established 
at  Lexington,  June  3,  1845,  an  anti-slavery  paper,  "The  True  American."  Mob  violence  was  threatened.  In  his  memoirs  he  said  : 
"  1  selected  for  my  office  a  brick  building,  and  lined  the  outside  doors  with  sheet-iron,  to  prevent  them  being  burned.  I  purchased 
two  brass  four-pounder  cannon  at  Cincinnati,  and  placed  them,  loaded  with  shot  and  nails,  on  a  table,  breast  high  ;  had  folding- 
doors  secured  with  a  chain,  which  could  open  on  the  mob  and  give  play  to  the  cannon.  I  furnished  my  office  with  Mexican  lances 
and  a  limited  number  of  guns.  There  were  six  or  eight  persons  who  stood  ready  to  defend  me.  If  defeated,  they  were  to  escape 
by  a  trap-door  in  the  roof;  and  I  had  placed  a  keg  of  powder  with  a  match,  which  I  could  set  off  and  blow  up  the  office  and  all 
my  invaders;  and  this  I  should  most  certainly  have  done  in  case  of  the  last  extremity."  In  August,  1845,  while  he  was  sick  his 
press  was  seized  and  he  was  threatened  with  assassination  ;  but  he  continued  to  publish  his  paper,  printing  it  in  Ohio  and  circu 
lating  it  in  Kentucky.  He  was  continually  involved  in  quarrels,  had  several  bloody  personal  encounters,  and  habitually  went  heavily- 
armed.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  with  Mexico,  to  which  he  was  opposed  as  likely  to  lead  to  an  extension  of  slavery,  he  entered 
the  service  as  captain  of  a  volunteer  company,  deeming  a  military  title  "  necessary  to  political  advancement  in  a  state  like  Ken 
tucky."  After  he  and  his  companions  were  captured  while  in  advance  of  General  Taylor's  army  they  were  marched  to  the  City 
of  Mexico.  When  exchanged  he  returned  to  Kentucky  and  plunged  into  politics.  He  worked  for  General  Taylor's  nomination 
to  the  presidency  in  1848  and  did  more  than  any  other  man  to  carry  the  state  of  Kentucky  for  him.  He  labored  energetically  for 
Fremont's  election  in  1856  and  for  Lincoln's  in  1860.  In  1861  he  was  appointed  minister  to  Russia,  served  two  years,  resigned, 
and  was  again  appointed  to  this  position,  serving  till  1869.  On  his  return  he  was  a  violent  opponent  of  Grant's  administration ; 
in  1872  he  supported  Greeley  for  the  presidency  ;  in  1876  he  was  for  Tilden,  and  in  1884  for  Elaine.  In  his  old  age  Clay  married 
a  child  and  his  last  days  were  embittered  by  domestic  strife.  He  died  of  general  debility  at  White  Hall,  Ky.,  July  22,  1903. 

84 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

congress  ;  if  all  this  is  done  I  for  one  will  not  complain,  after  the  manner 
I  have  been  treated.  But  enough  on  this  subject,  &  I  have  at  any  rate 
not  time  to  say  more — 

Inclosed  you  will  find  five  hund  dollars  in  treasury  notes  which 
please  hold  on  to  for  one  year  as  they  bear  an  interest  of  five  per  cent,  or 
if  you  think  best  invest  the  same  in  any  other  way  for  the  benefit  of  Ann 
&  the  children  or  rather  the  latter 

If  Co1  Taylor  &  Bob  are  still  with  you  remember  me  to  them  most 

kindly — 

With  respect  &  esteem 

Your  Friend  Truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  A.  Fort  Polk  Texas 
I  send  this  by  Capf  Waggaman — 


Camp  at  Agua  Nueava 

Mexico  Feby  9th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  several  letters  of  the  8th  i8th  24th  &  25th  with  extracts  from 
various  newspapers  in  relation  to  various  matters,  particularly  in  regard 
to  subjects  connected  with  the  manner  of  conducting  the  war,  was  recd  a 
few  days  since,  for  which  I  sincerely  thank  you.  As  to  the  course  which 
has  been  pursued  toward  me  by  the  authorities  at  Washington,  in  which 
I  am  satisfied  Gen1  Scott  took  a  conspicuous  part  notwithstanding  his 
professions  I  shall  say  but  little  having  expressed  my  views  pretty  freely 
to  you  in  my  last  communication  from  Monterey.  One  of  the  expecta 
tions  of  those  who  perpetrated  the  outrage  against  me  was,  that  I  would 
at  once  leave  the  country,  in  disgust  &  return  to  the  U.  States  which  if  I 
had  done  so,  would  have  been  freely  used  by  them  to  my  disadvantage, 
as  far  as  they  could  have  done  so,  but  in  this  I  shall  disappoint  them,  as 
I  have  determined  to  remain  &  do  my  duty  no  matter  under  what  cir 
cumstances  until  I  am  withdrawn,  or  entirely  superseded  by  the  orders 

85 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

of  those  who  placed  me  in  command  here.  At  the  same  time  I  have 
addressed  a  communication  to  the  adj*  Gen1  of  the  army,  to  be  submitted 
to  the  Secy  of  War,  &  by  him  to  be  laid  before  the  President  of  the  U. 
States,  complaining  in  strong  but  respectful  terms  as  to  the  manner  I 
have  been  treated,  pointing  out  the  injurious  effects  which  has  resulted  to 
the  public  service  growing  out  of  the  same  ;  which  communication  may 
have  the  effect  of  an  order  from  the  War  dep1  for  me  to  return  at  once 
to  the  Un.  States,  if  nothing  worse  ;  but  I  shall  [not]  flinch  from 
any  cours  the  Sec?  may  think  proper  toward  me — 

As  I  informed  you  I  was  about  to  do,  I  left  Monterey  on  the  31" 
ult°  &  reached  Saltillo  on  the  second  ins1  where  there  had  been  owing  to 
the  capture  of  two  detachments  of  mounted  Volunteers  belonging  to  the 
Kentucky  &  Arkansas  Rgts  consisting  of  2  Majrs  3  Capts  2  or  3  Lts  & 
about  100  picked  men  &  horses,  of  which  I  believe  I  informed  you  in  my 
last  letter,  by  the  enemy,  in  addition  to  a  report  that  they  were  advancing 
in  great  force  to  drive  us  from  Saltillo,  produced  such  a  panic  that  I 
deemed  it  necessary  at  once  to  join  this  portion  of  the  army,  to  restore 
confidence  if  possible,  as  well  as  to  be  present  should  the  enemy  attempt 
to  carry  his  threats,  or  reported  threats  into  execution.  I  found  most  of 
the  troops  in  &  near  the  City  of  Saltillo,  which  I  considered  a  very  inju 
dicious  position,  &  at  once  removed  them  about  2  miles  in  advance,  on 
the  San  Luis  road,  where  I  have  established  a  camp  of  between  4  &  5 
thousand  men,  as  well  as  located  myself,  &  where  I  shall  fight  the  enemy 
should  he  be  disposed  to  give  me  battle  ;  &  alth°  nearly  the  whole  of  my 
command  are  volunteers,  I  have  no  doubt  we  will  give  a  satisfactory 
acc£  of  him,  in  such  an  event,  as  confidence  seems  to  be  not  only  re 
stored,  but  the  greatest  enthusiasm  appears  to  pervade  the  whole  of  the 
forces,  &  all  express  themselves  desirous  to  come  in  collision  with  the 
enemy. 

I  have  ordered  to  be  thrown  forward  here,  by  the  first  of  April,  50 
days  rations  forage  transportation  &c  for  10,000  men  when  if  peace  is 
not  brought  about  by  that  time  &  Gen1  S.  does  not  filch  from  me  too 
large  a  portion  of  the  troops,  which  he  will  do  as  far  as  he  has  the  means 
of  transportation,  whether  they  are  necessary  or  otherwise  to  the  success 
of  his  expedition,  I  will  if  not  otherwise  instructed  from  Washington, 
move  against  the  enemy  in  some  quarter  or  other  ;  particularly  if  a  land- 

86 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

ing  is  effected  &  Vera  Cruz  taken,  &  a  move  made  on  the  City  of  Mexico 
by  our  people — 

By  the  last  mail  which  reached  here  three  days  since,  I  recd  an 
answer  from  Gen1  Scott  to  a  communication  I  wrote  him  from  Victoria, 
in  which  I  did  not  disguise  my  feelings  ;  he  is  somewhat  tart  in  his  reply, 
&  among  other  matters  advises  me  to  fall  back  to  Monterey  ;  which  I 
informed  him  I  could  not  think  of  doing  without  peremptory  orders  to 
that  effect  from  proper  authority ;  he  &  myself  now  understand  each 
other  perfectly,  &  there  can  for  the  future  be  none  other  than  official 
intercourse  between  us.  As  regards  the  application  for  Johns  app1  in 
the  navy,  I  do  not  calculate  on  its  being  successful  alth°  from  their  let 
ters  to  you,  on  that  subject  I  am  satisfied  that  Mr  Cranston  and  Mr  Hunt 
as  well  as  some  others  will  do  all  they  can  to  promote  it ;  but  unfortu 
nately  they  are  on  the  wrong  side  of  politicks,  &  I  am  satisfied  that 
nothing  I  could  say  or  do  in  the  matter  would  aid  him,  as  you  must  be 
aware  from  Wells  letter,  that  I  am  rather  in  bad  odor  at  the  white 
House  ;  as  I  stated  before,  my  only  hope  as  regards  this  matter  is  from 
the  high  character  of  the  Sec?  of  the  navy,  who  knowing  and  appreciating 
my  position,  services  &c  as  they  should  be,  &  understanding  or  knowing 
John's  relationship  to  me,  may  disregard  party  considerations  &  give  him 
the  appt  in  question  ;  if  he  does  not,  he  John  must  turn  his  attention  to 
some  other  business ;  at  the  same  time  you  ought  to  be  satisfied  having 
done  all  in  your  power  to  accomplish  his  wishes.  As  Rob  is  with  you 
I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  keep  him  constantly  employed  at  his  book  or 
pen  ;  it  is  very  important  to  give  him  a  taste  for  reading,  the  greatest 
difficulty  will  be  I  apprehend  to  procure  such  books  as  would  be  proper 
for  him  to  read  at  his  age ;  history  he  might  study  to  great  advantage. 
As  I  understand  his  mother  cannot  manage  him,  it  may  be  best  for  him 
to  be  with  you,  until  you  leave  the  country,  when  you  can  locate  him  at 
some  literary  institution  with  a  prospect  of  his  continuing  at  it — 

I  got  by  last  mail  a  letter  from  Betty  dated  at  Point  Coupee  where 
she  then  was  with  Puss,  the  13th  ult°  saying  they  were  all  well  at  Baton 
Rouge,  where  they  would  go  in  a  day  or  two,  that  Dick  whose  health 
had  improved,  had  just  come  up  for  them  ;  that  she  had  been  invited  to 
go  to  N.  Orleans  with  Mr  &  Mrs  Taylor,  but  had  not  made  up  her  mind 
whether  or  not  she  would  do  so — 

87 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Congress  or  the  lower  House,  &  I  make  no  doubt  the  Senate  will 
concur  has  passed  a  bill  to  raise  ten  additional  Regts  for  the  war,  the 
whole  to  be  disbanded  at  its  close  ;  but  I  cannot  see  the  propriety  of  the 
measure  unless  it  be  to  frighten  the  enemy  into  making  a  peace,  which  I 
still  entertain  the  hope  will  be  the  case  or  that  the  first  steps  will  be  taken 
to  bring  about  the  same  with  the  certainty  of  its  succeeding  between  this 
&  the  last  of  March,  as  they  cannot  fill  the  old  corps  or  Regts — 

I  presume  there  will  be  a  great  accession  to  the  medical  staff,  some 
of  whom  as  a  matter  of  course  as  in  the  present  case  of  those  now  in 
service,  will  do  no  duty,  being  appointed  from  political  considerations. 
I  observe  your  remarks  in  regard  to  McCormac  ;  he  is  among  those 
who  are  to  be  exempt  from  field  or  unpleasant  duty  of  any  kind ;  it  is 
unquestionably  much  more  pleasant  to  be  stationed  at  the  Sc  Charles  with 
fuel  &  quarters,  than  to  be  in  the  field  in  flimsy  tents  in  cold  &  frosty 
weather  in  a  country  where  there  is  neither  wood  or  any  substitute  for 
fuel  without  in  some  places  going  20  miles  in  the  mountains  for  it ;  the 
wood  the  army  used  in  Saltillo  was  brought  20  miles,  &  procured  in  the 
mountains.  But  matters  &  things  must  run  their  course,  let  them  termi 
nate  as  they  may — 

I  regret  to  hear  of  Lanyons  illness  which  arrested  him  at  Louisville 
Kentucky,  but  truly  hope  he  is  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  now  on  his  way 
to  N.  Orleans  if  not  already  there ;  &  in  sufficient  health  to  continue  on 
his  route  to  Mexico  ;  Gen1  Scotts  hd  quarters  being  I  presume  his  place 
of  destination.  He  is  however  well  stricken  in  years  &  feeble  in  health 
&  constitution,  &  it  would  take  but  little  to  carry  him  off,  in  which  case 
there  is  now  no  telling  who  would  succeed  him  ;  I  fear  as  "  evil  men 
bear  sway"  it  would  not  be  Surgn  Mower — 

I  am  truly  sorry  to  hear  Gen1  Jesup  intends  having  the  post  office 
removed  from  Point  Isabel  to  Brasos,  where  it  has  worked  very  well ; 
but  I  presume  it  will  be  done  for  his  own  convenience  &  accommodation 
&  that  of  a  few  of  his  satalights.  I  have  looked  on  the  Gen1  as  partially 
deranged  ever  since  he  wrote  the  Blair  letter  ;  &  I  regretted  when  I 
heard  he  was  coming  South  to  meddle  in  army  operations  going  on  in 
Mexico  under  my  direction,  or  that  of  any  other  person.  I  think  you 
mentioned  in  one  of  your  letters  that  he  had  informed  you,  that  he  had 
written  me  on  some  subject  or  other,  if  so  the  same  has  miscarried,  as  it 

88 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

has  never  reached  me.  There  has  been  for  the  success  of  our  arms,  too 
many  persons  tinkering  in  my  rear  with  the  view  of  breaking  me  down, 
or  to  make  a  little  capital  for  themself  disregarding  the  interest  of  the 
country.  I  deeply  regret  to  hear  of  the  sufferings  of  your  good  mother 
&  was  satisfied  at  her  advanced  age,  that  as  soon  as  she  fully  understood 
her  bereavement  there  was  no  hope  of  comforting  her,  &  would,  do  all 
her  devoted  family  could  to  prevent  it,  soon  would  carry  her  to  an  other 
&  to  her,  no  doubt  a  better  world  ;  which  those  she  leaves  behind  should 
bear  up  against  with  as  much  resignation  as  they  can  summon  to  their 
aid,  &  bear  in  mind  that  we  should  never  give  up  the  living  for  the 
dead ;  &  that  it  is  a  debt  we  must  all  pay  sooner  or  later — 

Finlay  after  inspecting  the  Texas  Volunteers  has  permission  to  leave 
the  country  on  ace1  of  bad  health  ;  I  think  it  would  have  been  better  had 
he  remained  a  short  time  as  he  will  fall  under  the  ban  of  the  powers  that 
be  at  Washington.  I  am  truly  sorry  to  find  you  write  so  despondingly  ; 
whenever  your  affairs  make  it  necessary  for  you  to  atten  to  them  per 
sonally,  I  will  give  you  a  leave  of  absence  for  that  object,  if  left  in 
comd  But  I  wish  you  to  put  it  off  as  long  or  as  late  in  the  spring  as 
possible.  If  Craig  does  not  return  you  will  be  the  senr  medical  officer 
in  the  country,  &  if  so  &  you  wish  it  I  will  order  you  to  join  me  as 
medical  director.  But  in  this  consult  your  own  wishes  &  convenience. 
I  am  pained  to  hear  of  Dr  Russells  situation  &  think  he  had  better  at 
once  leave  the  country  on  surgeons  certificate  which  I  will  approve — 
My  regards  to  him  &  love  to  Bob. 

Your  Friend  Truly 

&  Sincerely 

Z.  TAYLOR. 
SURG*  R.  C.  WOOD.  U.  S.  Army- 


Monterey  Mexico  March  20th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  two  lengthy  &  interesting  letters  of  the  2oth  &  24th  ult°  ac 
companied  by  a  number  of  extracts  cut  from  various  n.  papers  on  the 
subject  of  my  letter  to  Majr  Gen1  Gaines,  written  last  fall  which  alth°  not 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

intended  for  publication,  he  though  proper  to  turn  it  over  to  some  one 
who  had  it  published,  in  the  N.  York  Express,  without  my  consent, 
which  would  not  have  been  given  had  I  been  consulted,  but  as  it  has 
been  done  there  is  now  no  recalling  it,  &  of  course  I  will  leave  the  pro 
priety  to  be  discussed  as  regards  my  agency  in  the  matter,  as  well  as  my 
culpability  or  otherwise  in  the  transaction  ;  as  well  as  the  attacks  made  on 
me  by  order,  in  congress  about  the  capitulation  of  Monterey,  for  all  of 
which  you  have  my  sincere  thanks.  The  various  assaults  give  me  but 
little  concern,  alth°  it  has  brought  on  me  a  reprimand  from  the  president, 
in  addition  to  a  sharpt  one  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  about  the  impro 
priety  of  writing  the  letter  in  question,  blowing  me  as  he  supposed  up 
with  impunity,  which  he  would  hardly  have  ventured  to  have  done  to  the 
extent  he  carried  it,  had  he  not  supposed  that  by  striping  me  of  the 
greater  portion  of  my  comd  that  I  was  powerless  &  therefore  dare  not 
defend  myself  against  his  attacks  which  have  been  carried  on  under  cover 
against  me  for  the  last  five  months  or  more  ;  but  he  will  find  himself 
somewhat  mistaken,  &  I  have  no  doubt  when  he  gets  my  reply  to  his 
abusive  &  contemptable  letter,  he  will  regret  the  course  he  has  pursued. 
I  observe  great  hopes  are  entertained  by  the  party  in  power,  that  my 
correspondence  about  transportation  &c  will  not  bear  the  light,  &  when 
ever  published  will  break  me  down  ;  but  I  say  let  them  give  it  to  the 
public  without  garbling,  &  I  shall  have  nothing  to  fear  or  regret. 

I  am  satisfied  that  Scott,  Marcy  &  Co.  have  been  more  anxious  to 
break  me  down,  than  they  have  been  to  break  down  Santa  Anna,  &  the 
Mexicans,  for  never  was  an  officer  left  so  completely  bound  hand  &  foot 
under  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy,  after 
the  most  uncourteous,  &  I  may  say  insulting  course  having  been  pursued 
toward  me,  by  the  party  referred  to  ;  but  through  the  blessings  of  divine 
providence  I  have  disappointed  their  expectations  if  not  defeated  their 
nefarious  schemes  ;  &  feel  proud  however  in  knowing  that  by  pursuing 
the  course  I  did,  that  I  saved  the  honor  of  the  country,  &  our  glorious 
flag  from  trailing  in  the  dust ;  had  I  left  the  country  as  many  of  my 
warmest  friends  advised  me  to  have  at  once  done  on  the  rec1  of  Scotts 
outrageous  order  at  Victoria,  there  would  not  at  this  moment  have  been 
any  portion  of  the  country  on  this  side  the  Rio  Grande  in  our  posses 
sion,  except  Matamoros.  This  &  every  other  place  above  that,  must 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

have  been  abandoned  or  the  garrison  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy  ;~had  I  left  at  the  time  referred  to  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  never 
would  have  been  fought ;  &  had  that  not  been  fought  &  won,  Santa 
Anna  would  have  swept  the  whole  country  we  had  conquered  in  this  por 
tion  of  Mexico.  If  Scott  had  left  me  five  hundred  or  one  thousand 
regular  Infr  the  Mexican  army  would  have  been  completely  broken 
down,  &  the  whole  of  their  artillery  &  baggage  taken  or  destroyed ;  as  it 
was  we  were  barely  able  to  maintain  ourselves.'  The  volunteers  behaved 
nobly  which  the  number  of  their  killed  &  wounded  will  bear  witness  to. 
How  the  country  will  act  on  the  occasion  time  must  determine,  but  it 
seems  to  me  that  the  friends  of  those  who  fell  on  that  occasion  should 
hold  meetings  in  the  several  states  &  call  on  the  president  to  remove 
Marcy  from  his  present  position  as  being  entirely  incompetent  to  the 
situation ;  as  well  as  to  send  Scott  back  to  Washington  but  it  is  possible 
things  may  be  so  artfully  managed  as  to  bring  popular  opinion  to  bear 
on  me  for  not  killing  or  capturing  Santa  Anna  &  the  whole  of  his  army. 
I  think  Finlay  was  overly  anxious  to  get  back  to  his  family,  &  it 
seems  to  me  it  would  have  been  much  more  creditable  to  him  had  he 
remained  &  gone  on  duty  at  some  post  where  he  could  have  been  sta 
tionary  for  a  time  at  least ;  but  he  was  constantly  complaining  of  ill 
health  so  much  so  as  to  incapacitate  him  for  duty  ;  so  I  thought  it  as 
well  to  permit  him  at  once  to  leave.  I  understand  that  Jarvis  &  Turner 
have  both  so  managed  matters  with  or  through  Co1  Curtis  then  in  comd  at 
Camargo  to  get  sent  out  of  the  country  with  despatches  the  first  to 
Washington  to  let  the  dept  know  the  perilous  situation  the  army  under 
my  comd  was  in  &  the  latter  to  apprise  them  of  the  repulse  of  the  enemy 
at  Buena  Vista.  So  it  seems  that  the  medical  depc  appear  to  be  peculiarly 
fitted  for  carrying  expresses.  As  I  learn  the  Surgn  Gen1  come  out  in  the 
steamer  N.  York  I  hope  you  had  an  interview  with  him,  &  arranged 
matters  to  your  satisfaction  ;  if  not  that  you  are  prepared  to  leave,  on 
the  leave  of  absence  which  you  must  have  recd  from  my  hd  quarters,  ere 
now.  As  Jarvis  &  Turner  have  left  the  country  the  only  alternative 
will  be  for  you  to  hire  a  citizen  surgeon  to  relieve  you.  I  left  Saltillo 
on  the  8th  &  arrived  here  on  the  9th  &  found  the  communications  be 
tween  this  &  Camargo  entirely  cut  off  which  is  not  yet  entirely  restored 
as  the  enemy  are  carrying  on  an  active  war  against  our  wagon  trains  & 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

expresses  some  of  which  have  been  cut  off  &  destroyed,  so  many  as  to 
have  caused  a  great  panic  among  the  volunteers  or  many  of  them,  so  that 
large  escorts  must  accompany  every  train  &  even  then  they  have  not  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  through  in  safety  ;  but  I  hope  as  soon  as  some  two  or 
three  of  the  new  regt8  arrive  security  as  well  as  confidence  will  be  given 
&  restored  to  persons  &  property  passing  the  Rio  Grande  &  this  place. 

The  remarks  of  Scott  to  Waggaman  that  he  supposed  I  had  a 
larger  force  of  regulars,  than  was  the  case,  &  that  he  did  not  intend  to 
have  so  completely  striped  me  of  that  description  of  force,  is  untrue,  as 
he  had  the  monthly  returns  before  him,  which  were  regularly  made  out, 
&  transmitted  for  his  as  well  as  for  the  information  of  others  to  the 
adj1  gen1  of  the  army.  I  recd  a  letter  from  Betty  who  with  Dick  was  in 
N.  Orleans,  dated  the  2Oth  ult°  in  which  she  says  all  were  well  in  Baton 
Rouge  a  few  days  before  she  wrote  ;  also  that  she  would  return  home  in 
a  day  or  two. 

Unless  you  are  fortunate  enough  to  see  Lawson  at  Brasos,  you  can 
hardly  expect  to  do  so  in  Washington  even  admitting  you  have  to  go 
East,  as  I  presume  he  will  hardly  leave  the  army  he  is  now  with  before 
the  close  of  the  campaign  ;  Betty  speaks  of  meeting  him  in  N.  Orleans. 
I  have  no  idea  that  John  will  succeed  in  getting  an  appointment ;  his 
relationship  to  me  forbids  any  such  expectation.  I  regret  to  hear  of  Co1 
Taylors  bad  spirits,  &  have  written  him  but  once  since  the  battle  of 
Buena  Vista,  &  then  very  briefly  merely  informing  him  of  my  safety,  & 
the  result,  for  two  reasons,  one  that  I  looked  for  him  here  as  he  stated 
he  would  leave  Matamoros  for  this  place  as  soon  as  Gen1  Scott  left 
Brasos  Island,  and  secondly  I  can  hard  find  time  to  write  a  sintence  for 
morning  to  night  without  interruption  from  some  one,  so  much  so  as 
frequently  almost  to  come  to  the  determination  to  give  up  except  to  my 
family  all  private  correspondence  ;  for  I  frequently  am  at  a  loss  to  know, 
where  I  left  off,  or  where  to  commence  a  sentence.  I  yet  hope  from  the 
feelings  which  are  now  manifested  toward  me  by  the  authorities  in  Wash 
ington,  in  conjunction  with  some  letters  I  have  addressed  to  the  Secy  of 
War,  that  I  would  be  recalled  or  superseded  in  the  comd  in  a  few  weeks 
which  will  afford  me  the  opportunity  to  return  to  Louisean,  which  by  no 
means  will  be  an  unacceptable  arrangement ;  &  I  truly  hope  my  expecta 
tions  may  be  realized.  The  attacks  in  the  papers  give  me  no  concern 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

nor  shall  I  notice  any  of  them,  but  continue  to  pursue  the  "  even  tenor 
of  my  way  "  without  turning  to  the  right  or  left  to  pleas  any  one.  It 
would  afford  me  much  real  pleasure  to  learn  that  you  had  been  assigned 
to  a  desirable  station  somewhere ;  but  should  you  fail  in  this  &  find 
affairs  to  take  such  a  course  as  in  your  opinion  to  make  it  necessary  for 
you  to  leave  the  service,  look  well  to  it  before  doing  so,  so  that  you  may 
not  hereafter  have  cause  to  regret  it.  My  love  to  dear  Ann  &  the 
children  when  you  see  or  write  them,  as  it  is  possible  you  may  leave 
before  this  reaches  Fort  Polk  if  so  I  presume  as  a  matter  of  course,  you 
will  leave  directions  for  your  letters  to  be  forwarded  ;  also  my  love  to 
Bob,  &  wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  happiness  &  prosperity 
I  remain  truly  your 

Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

Fort  Polk  Texas 


Monterey  Mexico 

April  4th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  welcome  letter  of  the  3d  ult°  was  duly  recd  I  was  very  much 
pleased  to  learn  you  had  met  the  Surgn  Gen1  who  had  made  arrange 
ments  with  Gen1  Brooke,  to  assign  you  to  duty  at  the  N.  Orleans  Bar 
racks  on  your  arrival  in  that  city  ;  which  during  the  greater  portion  of 
the  year  is  in  some  respects  a  desirable  position  ;  besides  being  some 
what  expensive,  the  greatest  objection  to  it,  is  its  unhealthiness  during  a 
few  months  of  almost  every  year,  when  it  has  to  be  abandoned  during 
that  time  to  avoid  the  yellow  fever,  or  some  other  epidemic  prevails  ; 
however  all  considered  the  arrangement  may  be  looked  on  as  a  fortu 
nate  one,  as  it  will  at  least  enable  you  to  have  your  family  with  you, 
which  is  a  matter  of  great  importance.  You  will  I  presume  during  the 
summer,  if  not  the  balance  of  the  year,  besides  Majr  Jouett  &  family, 
have  Co1  Whistler  &  his  people  there  ;  but  it  will  be  well  to  make  the 

93 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

best  out  of  what  cannot  be  avoided  ;  &  to  get  along  with  such  people  the 
best  plan  is  to  adopt  I  have  found  is  to  be  very  polite,  without  being  too 
intimate.  Your  leave  of  absence  was  forwarded  some  time  since,  but 
may  have  been  delayed  in  consequence  of  our  communications  having 
been  cut  off  between  this  &  Camargo,  by  the  enemy  for  several  weeks, 
but  if  you  left  before  the  order  reached,  it  is  all  very  well,  &  hope  by  this 
time  if  not  before,  if  your  trip  across  the  gulf  was  a  favorable  one,  you 
have  reached  your  place  of  destination  &  without  accident — 

Since  my  return  here,  our  communications  with  the  Rio  Grande 
have  been  pretty  well  reestablished,  &  our  trains  are  passing  between 
here  &  Camargo  without  interruption,  with  moderate  escorts  ;  there  is 
now  nothing  to  apprehend  in  that  direction  but  small  bands  of  robbers, 
who  infest  the  greater  portion  of  the  inhabited  parts  of  this  unfortunate 
country — 

I  observe  my  letter  to  Majr  Gaines  published  in  the  N.  York 
Express  has  made  a  wonderful  sensation  among  politicians,  editors  & 
others  throughout  the  country  ;  all  of  which  I  really  look  upon  as 
"  much  ado  about  nothing  "  &  it  is  a  pity  there  was  not  something  of 
more  importance  to  agitate  or  to  amuse  to  keep  up  an  excitement  among 
the  masses — 

What  effect  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  will  have  on  the  Mexican 
nation,  as  regards  opening  the  way  for  negotiations,  as  to  bringing  about 
a  peace  between  the  the  two  countries  time  must  determine ;  but  I  truly 
hope  it  will  have  the  happyest  results  ;  the  best  informed  portion  of  the 
Mexicans  in  this  part  of  the  country,  say  there  will  be  peace  in  a  few 
months,  to  which  I  say  amen  with  all  my  heart.  Whether  my  despatch 
to  the  Secretary  of  War,  announcing  the  result  of  said  battle,  will  be 
replied  to  or  its  receipt  acknowledged  by  that  high  functionary,  time 
must  also  determine ;  as  he  has  not  for  the  last  five  months  condescended 
to  acknowledge  a  single  communication  from  me,  some  of  which  I  con 
ceive  was  of  much  importance  as  regards  the  service  in  this  quarter,  much 
less  to  reply  to  them  ;  but  if  he  still  persists  in  pursuing  such  a  con- 
temptable,  pitiful  &  ungentlemanly  a  course  for  the  purpose  of  insulting 
or  outraging  me,  which  is  quite  likely  he  will  do,  but  which  is  a  matter 
of  no  importance,  as  the  people  will  compell  him  to  lay  before  the 
country  in  some  one  of  the  public  journals  said  despatch,  no  matter  how 

94 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

unwilling  he  may  be  to  do  so—  There  has  been  constantly  carried  on 
against  me,  ever  since  the  battle  of  Monterey  by  the  high  functionaries 
at  Washington  covertly  attacks  against  me ;  see  the  attacks  of  Ficklin 
Thompson  &  others  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  &  Cass  Bagby1 
&c  in  the  Senate,  all  of  which  no  doubt  was  made  by  order,  which  how 
ever  gives  me  no  concern;  but  I  do  not  believe  the  War  Secretary 
would  have  unmasked  his  batteries  which  he  made  the  publication  of  my 
letter  to  Ge'i1  Gaines  the  pretext  for  doing,  had  he  not  supposed  the 
arrangement  entered  into  by  him  Scott  &  Co.  would  prostrate  me ;  that 
by  withdrawing  the  greater  part  of  the  troops  from  me,  &  leaving  me 
exposed  to  the  enemy,  which  course  they  thought  would  be  safer  than  to 
recall  or  relieve  me,  that  I  would  either  leave  the  country  at  once,  or  it 
was  possible  I  might  be  laid  on  the  shelf  here,  by  barely  acting  on  the 
defensive,  or  if  the  enemy  advanced  in  force  on  the  line  I  was  left  to 
defend  with  a  greatly  inadequate  force,  I  would  either  be  beaten,  or 
would  have  fallen  back  on  or  beyond  the  Rio  Grande,  &  in  either  con 
tingency  I  would  have  been  darned  as  a  military  man  ;  but  thanks  to  a 
kind  providence  their  nefarious  schemes  have  been  all  defeated  &  the 
battle  of  Buena  Vista  I  trust  is  the  best  reply  I  can  make  to  them  or 
their  slanderous  attacks — 

It  is  matter  of  some  little  gratification  that  I  pursued  the  identical 
course  I  did,  for  without  one  particle  of  vanity  entering  into  the  whole 
matter  I  am  satisfied  I  saved  the  honor  of  the  country,  &  our  glorious 
stars  &  stripes  from  being  trailed  in  the  dust ;  for  had  I  left  on  the 
receipt  of  of  Gen1  Scotts  unmilitary  &  outrageous  order  for  the  U.  States 
which  many  of  my  friends  advised  me  to  do  we  would  not  now  have 
occupied  a  post  other  than  Matamoros,  if  that  save  on  the  sea  coast  this 
side  the  Rio  Grande,  for  as  it  was  our  communications  between  here 
&  that  river,  was  entirely  cut  off —  It  is  possible  however  that  the 
dominant  party  may  out,  as  well  as  in  congress  charge  me  with  neglect 
of  duty,  in  not  capturing  Santa  Anna  &  the  whole  of  his  army,  &  that 
a  vote  of  censure  to  that  effect  at  the  next  session  may  be  gotten  up,  & 
even  pass  that  body  ;  the  White  House  has  set  the  whole  pack  of  aspir 
ants  to  the  occupancy  of  the  same,  to  barking  &  snapping  at  my  heels, 


I     Meaning  Orlando  B.  Ficklin,  a  representative  from  Kentucky,  James  Thompson,  a  representative  from  Pennsylvania,  Lewis 
Cass,  a  senator  from  Michigan,  and  Arthur  P.  Bagby,  a  senator  from  Alabama.     All  were  democrats. 

95 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

including  Jesup,  Scott  &  others  ;  I  obseve  in  a  speech  of  Casses  in  the 
Senate,  he  takes  the  opportunity  to  eulogis  in  high  terms  the  Qr  Master 
Gen1  to  shield  the  dep1  from  the  attacks  I  had  made  on  it;  by  referring  to 
&  quoting  from  a  letter  written  by  Jesup  to  the  War  depf  in  which  Cass 
is  made  to  say,  that  Jesup  stated  to  the  War  dep*  that  the  army  had 
double  the  amt  of  transportation  they  needed  at  Fort  Polk  &  Brown 
before  the  arrival  of  the  Volunteers;  as  long  as  the  army  in  question 
remained  stationary,  this  might  be  so;  but  said  statement  was  made  to 
mislead  &  deceive  the  public  &  therefore  was  nothing  more,  nor  less  than 
a  cool  &  premeditated  falsehood  ;  as  to  Jesup,  I  have  not  looked  on  him 
as  entirely  sane  since  he  wrote  that  more  than  rediculous  Blair  letter;  but 
it  is  worse  than  rediculous  that  a  U.  States  Senitor  should  endorse  his 
absurd  &  erroneous  statements;  I  dare  him  Cass  &  the  whole  concern  to 
show  before  a  proper  tribunal  that  there  is  one  word  which  is  untrue  in 
the  letter  to  Gen1  Gaines,  or  that  I  have  written  to  any  one  else  in  regard 
to  transportations  or  any  thing  else,  I  have  written  since  I  have  been  in 
Mexico,  or  that  is  even  highly  coloured,  Mr  Jesup  &  Mr  Casses  state 
ment  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding — 

It  is  quite  likely  there  will  be  no  more  fighting  in  this  section  other 
than  with  small  detachments  who  may  perhaps  attempt  to  rifle  the  trains, 
or  rob  smal  parties  in  the  road  between  this  &  Camargo;  Gen1  Santa 
Anna  has  gone  to  the  City  of  Mexico  where  there  is  a  revolution  going 
on  against  the  gov£  where  it  is  stated  there  was  considerable  fighting 

o  o  o  o 

between  the  parties  the  6th  yth  &  8th  ult° ;  he  Santa  Anna  taking  with  him 
about  six  thousand  troops  from  San  Louis,  in  his  proclimation  issued  just 
before  leaving  he  will  to  save  the  beautiful  City  of  Mexico  &  put  down 
anarchy  &  strife,  which  is  destroying  the  best  interest  of  the  country,  he 
intends  taking  matters  into  his  own  hands ;  so  that  it  seems  to  me  if  we 
have  another  serious  fight  in  this  direction,  or  with  this  column,  it  will  not 
be  this  side  San  Louis  Potosi,  or  Zucatecas — 

Inclosed  I  you  will  find  a  check  for  five  hundred  on  Co1  Hunt 
depty  Qr  Gen1  which  please  dispose  of  as  you  may  think  most  advisable 
for  the  benefit  of  your  family— 

You  could  certainly  do  me  no  good  by  remaining  at  Point  Isabel  or 
Brazos,  alth°  I  do  not  consider  the  reports  as  regards  our  situation  even 
at  all  exagerated,  we  might  say  with  truth  we  were  left  at  the  mercy  of  the 

96 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

enemy,  &  nothing  short  of  a  miracle,  saved  us;  our  situation  was  a  much 
more  dangerous  &  desperate  one  than  we  were  placed  in  at  Forts  Polk  & 
Brown  before  the  battles  of  the  8th  &  9th  of  May  last ;  why  we  were  left 
as  a  forlorn  hope  to  be  destroyed  by  the  enemy  without  there  being  any 
necessity  for  it,  is  a  mystery  to  me,  which  can  only  be  solved  or  explained 
by  Marcy  &  Scott,  which  I  hope  some  of  the  friends  of  those  who  fell  on 
the  plains  of  Buena  Vista  who  was  worth  a  hundred  of  them,  will  compell 
them  to  do — 

If  this  reaches  you  at  Baton  Rouge  or  if  at  N.  Orleans  Barracks,  & 
they  are  with  you  my  love  to  Ann  &  the  children;  or  if  you  are  at  the 
latter  place  &  they  are  at  Baton  Rouge,  do  so  when  you  write;  &  wishing 
you  &  yours  continued  health  health  &  prosperity  I  remain  truly  your 

Friend 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  Army 

N.  Orleans  Barracks. 

P.  S.     Lawsons  regards  are  duly  appreciated. 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

May  9th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  several  letters  of  the  4th  12th  &  18th  with  several  enclosures  & 
accompanied  by  a  number  of  late  newspapers  &  extracts  cut  from  others, 
reach  me  on  the  5th  inst  all  at  the  same  moment,  with  innumerable  papers 
&  letters  congratulating  me  on  the  result  of  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista, 
many  of  which  I  fear  I  shall  never  be  able  to  reply  to ;  but  will  do  all  I 
can  in  that  way — 

Let  me  assure  you  I  am  truly  thankful  for  your  letters  which  are 
read  with  deep  interest  alth°  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  reply  to  them 
at  length,  or  even  so  much  so  as  I  could  wish,  but  you  must  take  the  will 
for  the  deed,  for  be  assured  the  wellfare  of  you  &  yours  forms  among  the 
most  important  considerations  in  which  I  am  interested  ;  you  also  have 

97 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

my  thanks,  for  the  papers  &  slips  cut  from  others,  which  in  addition  to 
your  letters  I  have  read  with  pleasure,  as  well  as  with  deep  interest — 

I  was  truly  delighted  to  hear  you  had  made  a  visit  to  Baton  Rouge, 
where  you  found  all  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health,  especially  dear  Anns 
so  much  improved,  &  truly  hope  she  may  have  with  her  family  the  pleas 
ure  of  enjoying  many  years  of  health,  happiness  &  prosperity.  I  was 
gratified  to  hear  she  Ann  had  come  down  with  you  before  bringing  the 
children  &  made  the  necessary  arrangements  for  housekeeping  in  the  first 
instance,  &  then  returned  for  them  ;  &  flatter  myself  they  will  all  join  you 
at  the  proper  time  in  good  health,  &  without  accident ;  nor  do  I  wish 
them  to  be  in  the  least  hurry  in  leaving  Baton  Rouge,  hoping  it  has 
proved  a  pleasant  residence  to  them.  I  had  hoped  that  proper  schools 
would  have  been  found  at  B.  Rouge  adapted  to  the  age  &  the  state  of 
acquirements  of  the  children,  in  which  case,  most  of  the  children  if  they 
had  been  willing  to  have  done  so,  would  have  remained  with  their  grand 
mother,  at  any  rate  till  autumn;  at  which  time  it  may  be  well  to  look  out 
for  a  more  healthy  position.  I  have  noticed  with  much  interest,  Mr 
Hunts  from  which  I  am  satisfied  he  Mr  Crittenden  &  Co1  Tibbatts  done 
all  in  their  power  to  procure  Johns  appointment  but  am  &  have  been 
satisfied  it  will  be  without  avail  at  present;  he  must  therefore  turn  his 
attention  to  some  other  pursuit;  in  the  first  place  completing  his  educa 
tion;  by  which  time  something  may  be  determined  on.  I  deeply  regret 
to  hear  of  Dicks  continued  indisposition,  &  fear  his  long  residence  in  N. 
Orleans  where  there  are  so  many  temptations,  was  not  at  all  favorable  to 
his  recovery;  if  I  was  sure  the  water  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkensas  was 
adapted  or  would  be  beneficial  to  him,  I  would  wish  him  to  go  there  with 
as  little  delay  as  practicable,  but  without  understanding  in  some  way  or 
other  how  the  water  there  would  suit  his  disease,  I  would  not  like  to 
advise  him  to  take  that  course.  I  deeply  regretted  to  hear  that  the  Mis 
sissippi  was  so  very  high  &  that  my  plantation  with  I  suppose  hundreds 
of  others  had  been  flooded  &  of  course  our  crops  destroyed;  my  purchase 
of  said  plantation  has  proved  truly  an  unfortunate  one,  but  it  is  useless 
now  to  complain  or  despond,  but  to  do  the  best  we  can,  in  whatever 
position  we  may  be  placed  in.  Had  my  levee  succeeded  in  protecting 
the  land  from  inundation,  I  would  have  been  contented  with  the  same,  & 
would  have  been  contented  as  soon  as  this  war  was  at  an  end,  or  before,  to 

98 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

have  retired  to  it,  &  devoted  my  self  to  superintending  the  same.  For 
let  matters  eventuate  as  they  may,  I  must  leave  &  return  to  the  U.  States 
in  this  fall  ;  even  if  I  have  to  retire  from  the  service — 

As  regards  Gen1  Worths  professions  I  pay  no  confidence  in  them,  or 
in  those  of  his  friend  Sanders,  while  one  should  be  polite  &  courteous  to 
all,  at  the  same  time  he  ought  to  commit  himself  with  few;  W.  I  consider 
entirely  unprincipled;  &  his  friend  S.  a  perfect  demagouge.  As  to  the 
presidency  I  have  no  wish  to  reach  that  position ;  &  if  I  could  do  so 
there  are  a  number  of  distinguished  statesmen  in  our  country  I  would 
advance  to  that  position,  in  preference  to  myself.  At  the  same  time  I 
will  not  say  I  would  not  serve  if  the  good  people  of  the  country  should 
think  proper  to  elect  me;  but  I  can  truly  say  I  have  no  wish  to  fill  said 
office,  &  if  I  do  so  at  all,  it  must  be  by  the  spontaneous  will  of  a  majority 
of  the  people,  &  not  by  any  party;  for  could  I  be  the  chief  magistrate 
of  the  republic  by  announcing  myself  as  a  candidate  for  the  office,  I 
would  never  reach  it.  At  any  rate  I  consider  the  time  inauspicious  for 
my  coming  or  rather  being  brought  out;  &  truly  regret  that  any  paper 
friendly  to  my  election,  has  thought  proper  to  bring  my  name  before  the 
country  as  connected  with  that  position,  or  as  a  candidate  for  the  same  at 
this  early  day.  I  imagine  Co1  Lyon  was  only  feeling  your  pulse,  to  ascer 
tain  my  views  through  you;  I  do  not  consider  him  a  very  safe  person; 
&  no  doubt  you  will  meet  with  many  such  who  you  will  fully  understand. 
I  am  pleased  to  hear  Gen1  Brooke  takes  my  notice  of  him  in  the  way  he 
does  in  the  correspondence  between  the  Secretary  of  War  &  myself;  for 
I  have  none  but  the  kindest  feelings  toward  the  Gen1  &  consider  him  a 
high  minded  honorable  &  gallant  soldier,  with  a  heart  always  in  the  right 
place — 

[As  you  are]  fully  located  at  the  Barracks  near  N.  Orleans,  I  hope 
unless  you  wish  a  change  you  will  not  be  removed  by  Dr  Barton  or  any 
one  else.  We  are  all  quiet  here  nor  do  I  expect  to  move  forward  into  the 
heart  of  the  enemies  country  for  some  time  ;  at  any  rate  until  prepared  to 
meet  with  success.  A  portion  of  the  n.  Regt8  have  commenced  arriving  at 
Brazos,  where  they  are  to  be  organized  by  Gen1  Cadwalader,1  &  of  course  it 


I     George  Cadwalader  (1806-1879)  was  a  lawyer  In  Philadelphia.     He  became  brigadier-general  of  volunteers  on  the  outbreak 
of  the  Mexican  war  and  distinguished  himself  at  Molino  del  Rey  and  Chapultepec 

99 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

will  take  some  time  to  prepare  them  for  the   movement  nor  can   I  well 
move  forward  until  this  is  done — 

I  observe  your  friend  Judge  Hunt,  alludes  to  my  being  from  a  slave 
state  as  being  a  principal  bar  to  my  reaching  the  presidency;  I  would  not 
do  so  if  I  could  by  advocating  either  the  propriety  of  slavery,  or  abolition  ; 
let  this  vexed  question  remain  where  the  constitution  placed  it — 

My  health  was  never  better  than  at  present ;  I  was  somewhat  indis 
posed  for  some  weeks  after  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  &  was  confined  to 
my  camp  with  a  sore  leg  for  some  two  weeks  from  the  bite  of  some 
poisonous  insect,  or  a  slight  wound  in  the  first  instance  from  a  thorn,  but 
which  is  now  perfectly  well.  Please  remember  me  most  affectionately  to 
dear  Ann  &  the  children,  or  all  of  them  that  may  be  with  you,  as  well  as 
kindest  regards  to  Majr  &  Mr3  Jouett  &  the  two  you  ladies  Miss  Virginia 
&  Josephine  should  they  still  be  at  the  Barracks  ;  as  well  as  to  say  to  them 
I  wish  them  to  visit  Baton  Rouge  &  spend  some  time  with  their  aunt 
before  they  return  to  Kentucky,  or  when  on  their  way  up  the  river. 

Wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health,  happiness  &  prosperity  I 
remain 

Truly  Your 
Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR — 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

N.  Orleans 

P.  S.  Since  finishing  my  letter  we  have  this  moment  recd  the  Mexi 
can  official  account  of  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo,  fought  on  the  17th  ult° 
between  Santa  Anna  &  Gen1  Scott,  about  50  miles  from  Vera  Cruz  near 
Julappa,  in  which  the  former  was  entirely  routed,  with  the  loss  of  his 
artillery  baggage  &c.  All  of  which  you  will  have  heard  before  this  gets 
to  N.  Orleans. 


100 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

May  30th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  letters  of  the  Ist  &  13th  insf  with  two  notes  one  by  Majr  Sparks 
accompanied  by  several  interesting  slips  cut  from  different  newspapers  & 
the  official  organ  have  all  reached  me,  the  one  of  the  Ist  last  evening  in 
consequence  of  some  irregularity  in  our  mails,  &  that  of  the  13th  some 
five  or  six  days  previously;  both  have  been  read  with  deep  interest  & 
great  satisfaction,  for  which  in  addition  to  the  Union,  which  I  have  not 
yet  read  for  want  of  time,  &  the  slips  &c  I  tender  you  my  most  cordial 
thanks.  I  have  no  doubt  the  mistake  about  the  draft  in  question  origi 
nated  with  myself,  I  got  two  from  the  Qr  Master  Cap1  Sibley  at  the  same 
time,  one  for  400  hundred  dollars  intended  for  Mrs  Taylor,  the  other  five 
hundred  intended  for  you ;  they  were  enclosed  in  a  great  hurry  in  the 
night,  the  one  for  five  was  sent  by  mistake  to  MrsT.  &  in  like  manner 
the  one  for  four  was  sent  to  you.  This  will  be  all  rectified  the  moment  I 
hear  of  the  arrival  of  the  letter  containing  the  same  at  Baton  Rouge ; 
your  letters  or  in  fact  any  others  do  not  reach  here  with  anything  like 
regularity,  but  when  they  do,  they  are  read  with  interest  &  are  a  source 
of  pleasure  to  me,  so  that  you  need  make  no  apology  as  to  number  or 
length  ;  all  that  I  ask  of  you  is  not  to  expect  me  to  answer  the  whole  of 
them,  or  to  write  very  long  as  well,  for  really  I  have  not  the  time  to 
do  so — 

I  think  it  was  better  to  have  Rob  at  B.  Rouge  than  to  have  sent  him 
contrary  to  his  wishes  to  Kentucky,  &  hope  he  will  attend  closely  to  his 
studies  &  will  prepare  himself  for  college  should  you  determine  on  send 
ing  him  to  finish  his  education  at  one  or  to  prepare  him  for  any  other 
pursuit.  John  I  hope  will  get  on  to  his  place  of  destination  without  acci 
dent.  I  have  no  doubt  he  will  pass  his  examination  with  credit,  &  I  hope 
to  live  to  see  him  occupying  respecticable  rank,  &  an  ornament  to  the  pro 
fession,  &  an  honor  to  his  country;  which  cannot  fail  to  be  the  case,  if  he 
is  sober,  prudent  &  studious,  which  I  am  truly  in  hopes  will  be  the  case. 
I  hope  you  will  succeed  in  getting  a  good  teacher  for  the  girls,  &  that  you 
will  be  able  to  have  them  well  educated,  substantially  so,  if  not  showy. 
At  any  rate  they  ought  to  be  able  to  read  &  write  &  speak  their  own 


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LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TATLOR 

language  correctly,  in  addition  to  fluency  &  ease.  As  Dick  will  leave  for 
some  of  the  watering  places,  I  doubt  if  Betty  will  be  able  to  make  you  the 
visit  contemplated,  as  in  that  case  her  mother  would  be  left  alone. 

I  was  aware  there  was  many  serious  objections  to  your  present 
position  &  pointed  them  out  to  you  soon  after  you  was  assigned  to  the 
same,  among  the  rest  that  a  proper  school  for  the  children  was  referred 
to,  in  addition  to  the  trouble  &  expense  of  removing  Ann  &  the  children 
to  some  healthy  place  should  any  contagious  disease  make  its  appearance 
at  the  Barracks  during  a  part  of  the  summer  &  autum,  which  I  consider 
the  greatest  objection  to  the  place,  but  it  was  "Hopsons  choice,"  that  or 
Mexico,  the  latter  of  course  involving  the  separation  with  your  family,  to 
avoid  the  course  you  pursued  I  considered  the  most  you  could  have 
pursued — 

It  seems  to  me  as  regards  Mr8  Dudley,  while  you  or  your  family 
should  make  no  advances  for  a  reconciliation,  yet  if  she  thought  proper 
to  do  so,  I  see  no  reason  why  it  should  not  be  met ;  as  I  know  nothing 
which  she  has  done  to  bar  the  exchange  of  common  courticies  of  life, 
even  if  there  should  be  no  intimacy  among  the  parties;  she  Mrs  Dudley 
done  no  more  than  most  ambitious  women  would  have  done,  under  simi 
lar  circumstances,  &  I  was  satisfied  if  she  outlived  her  husband  she  would 
control  his  property,  &  leave  it  to  her  relatives;  this  should  be  no  cause 
of  quarrel  or  heart  burning  among  you  all,  particularly  so  far  as  you  was 
individually  concerned,  as  you  are  not  dependent  on  her,  which  let  her 
see,  by  treating  her  on  ace1  of  what  had  passed  with  marked  but  dignified 
politeness  should  you  ever  meet  her.  There  is  no  telling  at  what  moment 
we  may  be  called  to  another  scene  of  action  from  which  none  return,  &  it 
is  the  part  of  wisdom  to  be  always  prepared  for  such  an  event,  &  the  rear 
ing  up  our  children  &  establishing  them  in  life  so  that  they  can  sustain 
themselves  is  in  my  opinion  the  most  important  of  our  duties — 

I  have  read  the  copies  of  the  enclosed  letters  referred  to  &  feel  greatly 
indebted  both  to  Mr  S.  &  Mr  H.  for  the  complimentary  manner  they 
have  been  pleased  to  notice  my  services,  &  their  wishes  on  the  subject  of 
the  presidency,  &  their  views  as  to  my  course  touching  the  same;  as  well 
as  my  obligations  to  Gen1  B.  for  communicating  the  views  of  the  former, 
&  to  yourself  for  the  way  in  which  you  replied  to  the  latter.  But  I  should 
regret  any  one  spending  a  cent  to  secure  my  election,  for  if  I  enter  the 

102 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

White  House  to  occupy  it,  it  must  be  by  the  spontaneous  move  of  the 
people,  &  not  by  any  agency  of  mine  in  the  matter,  as  I  am  not  at  all 
anxious  for  the  office  under  any  circumstances,  &  will  be  the  president  of 
the  people  if  at  all,  &  not  of  a  party;  at  the  same  time  I  regret  the  sub 
ject  has  been  agitated  so  long  before  the  election,  as  there  will  be  many 
"Richmonds  in  the  field"  by  the  time  or  before  the  coming  election,  & 
of  course  much  slang  &  abuse  will  be  indulged  in  by  the  aspirants  &  their 
creatures  to  break  down  the  most  prominent  for  said  office,  much 
of  which  would  have  been  avoided,  had  the  cavas  been  put  off  until  this 
time  next  year.  I  consider  the  wish  of  Dr  B.  to  relieve  you  at  your  pres 
ent  position  without  consultin  your  wishes  was  rather  assuming  too  much 
&  I  certainly  must  thank  Gen1  B.  for  his  manly  &  soldierly  course  in  this 
matter  in  sustaining  you ;  also  for  his  good  wishes  as  regards  my  reaching 
the  first  civil  office  in  the  country,  all  of  which  I  wish  you  to  present  to 
him.  I  shall  write  nothing  which  if  published  will  give  me  any  concern ; 
courtesy  will  make  it  proper  for  me  to  reply  to  many  of  the  numerous 
letters  addressed  me  in  relation  to  the  office  in  question  ;  but  my  answers 
will  be  guarded,  &  in  very  gen1  terms  ;  &  those  who  do  not  like  them 
may  vote  for  who  ever  they  please — 

Was  the  election  to  come  off  this  fall  instead  of  the  I  make  no  doubt 
was  the  election  at  hand  I  would  be  elected  to  the  highest  of  office  in  the 
gift  of  the  people,  which  would  be  the  most  signal  rebuke  ever  ministered 
to  a  party  under  similar  circumstance ;  but  many  changes  may  take  place 
between  now  and  Novr  1 848  which  may  entirely  change  the  tide  of  public 
opinion  in  favor  of  some  other  individual,  as  nothing  is  more  uncertain 
than  popular  favor.  I  wish  Co1  Nicholas  had  deferred  the  nomination 
referred  to  until  the  next  session  of  their  legislature — 

I  think  I  understand  both  Worth  &  Scott  pretty  well,  they  both 
operate  considerably  through  their  creatures,  particularly  the  former;  but 
it  may  be  best  to  meet  such  people  in  accordance  with  their  professions — 

Gen1  Scott  in  my  opinion  will  be  a  candidate  for  the  succession,  &; 
may  prove  a  very  formidable  one  ;  if  the  present  party  in  power  find  them 
selves  in  a  desperate  situation  they  may  take  him  up,  which  I  think  quite 
likely  he  giving  certain  pledges,  which  he  will  not  hesitate  to  do;  he  will 
it  seems  to  me  carry  with  him  a  considerable  portion  of  the  Whig  party, 
but  whether  enough  to  elect  him  time  must  determine —  You  may  be  satis- 

103 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TATLOR 

fied  of  one  thing  that  if  an  other  individual  who  is  honest  capable  &  faith 
ful  to  the  constitution  should  be  elevated  to  that  office,  than  myself,  it 
will  give  me  not  a  moments  concern,  much  less  a  moments  pain ;  on  the 
contrary  I  shall  rejoice  that  the  republic  possess  a  more  capable  &  worthy 
citizen  for  that  station  than  myself —  The  Louisville  Journal  is  an  ably 
conducted  paper,  &  devoted  or  will  be  to  my  interest  for  the  presidency, 
if  you  have  subscribed  for  it,  I  would  be  glad  you  would  forward  it  to 
me,  after  reading  it.  The  Union  is  regularly  sent  to  us,  so  you  need  give 
yourself  no  trouble  in  sending  it —  The  city  is  &  no  doubt  will  be  filled 
with  officers  &  no  doubt  will  continue  so  until  the  close  of  this  war. 

I  deeply  regret  to  hear  of  Cap*  Swift's  death,  which  will  prove  a 
dreadful  blow  to  his  parents  &  family — 

Should  this  war  continue  I  do  not  expect  to  be  given  a  proper  force 
to  justify  my  marching  into  the  heart  of  Mexico,  the  twelve  months 
Volunteers  will  all  in  the  course  of  five  or  six  days,  be  on  their  way  to 
their  homes,  which  will  leave  me  very  weak  on  this  line  ;  in  fact  it  is  so 
at  present.  I  had  calculated  that  the  new  regts  ordered  to  Point  Isabel, 
would  have  formed  a  part  of  my  comd  but  the  last  mail  brought  me  an 
order  from  Washington  directing  Gen1  Cadwallader  to  proceed  with  the 
greater  portion  to  Vera  Cruz,  &  report  to,  or  join  Gen1  Scott,  the  latter 
had  also  ordered  the  same  comd  to  join  him,  which  order  reached  Brazos 
a  few  days  before  the  one  from  Washington.  Those  arrangements  leave 
me,  with  three  of  the  new  regts  of  foot  one  of  which  I  understand  very 
little  has  been  done  toward  filling  its  ranks  ;  Tibbats  is  one  of  them,  & 
perhaps  the  3d  dragoons  to  be  mounted,  so  say  the  adf  gen1  of  the  army. 
Co1  Taylor  has  been  ordered  out  &  I  presume  will  be  in  N.  Orleans  soon 
after  this  gets  there.  Jarvis  has  not  yet  arrived — 

P.  S.  Just  as  I  closed  my  note  to  you,  the  mail  arrived  a  moment 
since  &  brought  me  your  very  acceptable  letter  of  the  i6th  &  2oth  ins1 
accompanied  by  papers  &  scraps  for  which  as  usual  you  have  my  most 
cordial  thanks — 

I  can  but  feel  gratified  as  to  the  complimentary  terms  your  old 
acquaintance  &  friend  Mr  Shelton  has  thought  proper  to  allude  to  my 
services  &c  for  which  I  sincerely  thank  him. 

The  brilliant  illuminations  in  New  Orleans  &  elsewhere  on  ace1  of 
the  success  of  our  armies  shows  that  our  citizens  duly  appreciate  the  labors, 

104 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

privations  &  dangers  encountered  in  the  public  servants  by  those 
employed  by  them,  which  demonstration  of  respect  &  gratitude  must  be 
consoling  in  some  degree  to  those  who  have  lost  relatives,  health  & 
friends  during  this  contest ;  but  the  marked  distinction  which  has  been 
shewn  me  in  these  illuminations,  as  in  many  other  ways  throughout  the 
country,  particularly  as  many  of  them  has  been  connected  with  the  presi 
dency,  will  only  have  the  effect  of  bringing  on  me  the  hatred,  envy  & 
abuse  of  all  the  aspirants  &  their  creatures  tools  &c  which  is  now  making 
their  appearance  in  some  of  the  public  journals  &  which  will  be  doubtless 
greatly  increased  in  number  by  the  Scott  party  &  partisans — 

I  notice  your  remarks  about  the  advantages  &  disadvantages  as  a 
station  so  far  as  you  &  yours  was  concerned,  &  with  one  exception  the 
first  objection,  which  may  be  bourn  with  of  your  present  station  which 
I  pointed  out  more  than  once  to  you — 

Kendalls  article  was  no  doubt  written  by  the  direction  or  under  the 
supervision  of  Scott,  to  laud  him  S.  &  the  administration  ;  of  which 
both  are  complete  sycophants — 

I  have  just  recd  by  special  express  from  Washington  several  com 
munications  from  the  Secretary  of  War  &  the  Adj*  Gen1  of  the  army, 
replying  to  comts  addressed  to  the  dept  sometime  since,  which  alth°  re 
spectful  enough,  are  not  at  all  satisfactory  ;  as  they  contain  promises 
which  cannot  be  fulfilled,  for  the  purpose  of  creating  expectations  on  the 
part  of  the  people  of  the  country  in  regard  to  myself,  which  can  never 
be  realized.  If  my  friends  had  not  connected  my  name  with  the  office 
of  the  presidency  which  I  very  much  regret,  I  would  at  once  retire  from 
the  service,  &  devote  myself  to  the  management  of  my  private  affairs, 
but  I  do  not  wish  to  take  any  steps  or  adopt  any  course  which  would 
meet  with  their  disapprobation  ;  but  however  much  I  may  dislike  to  dis 
appoint  them,  I  may  &  very  probably  to  this  course ;  among  other 
matters  brought  by  the  bearer  of  the  despatches  from  Washington,  is 
instructions  placing  me  under  the  orders  of  Gen1  Scott,  which  is  in 
effect  superseding  me,  &  which  seem  to  me  ought  to  incline  me  to  ask  to 
be  recalled,  &  to  resign  if  not  acceded  to — 

I  was  pleased  to  hear  that  Dick  was  on  his  way  to  the  Arkensas 
Springs,  &  hope  he  will  not  missapply  his  time  on  the  way  there,  but  will 
get  there  without  delay  &  give  the  water  a  fair  trial—  Alth°  feeling 

105 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

great  anxiety  about  him  I  was  glad  to  learn  that  John  was  on  his  way 
to  Annapolis,  he  carries  with  him  my  best  wishes  for  his  health  & 
prosperity — 

It  was  gratifying  to  me  to  know  that  the  water  had  receded  from  the 
plantation  as  it  may  enable  me  to  raise  plenty  of  corn  for  the  coming 
year. 

Z.  T. 

SURGEON  R.  C.  WOOD 
U.  S.  Army 

New  Orleans  Barracks 

New  Orleans 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

June  23d  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  very  interesting  &  acceptable  letters  of  the  2 5th  ult°  &  2d  of 
June  with  one  from  Rob  &  Mr  Caldwell,  with  several  newspapers  & 
interesting  scraps  cut  from  others,  have  just  reached  here  &  for  which  I 
am  truly  thankful  ;  affording  me  much  real  gratification  as  they  commu 
nicated  the  pleasing  intelligence  of  the  health  of  your  family  &  those  of 
mine  at  Baton  Rouge,  &  let  me  assure  you  again  no  matter  what  ever 
may  be  my  occupation  it  will  on  all  occasions  be  a  source  of  gratification 
to  me  to  receive  letters  from  you,  &  particularly  if  they  contain  the 
gratifying  information  that  you  &  your  family  are  all  well,  happy  & 
prosperous — 

I  greatly  fear  from  a  letter  from  Betty  dated  Baton  Rouge  28th 
ult°  that  Dick  was  misapplying  his  time  about  Bayou  Sarah,  in  which 
she  says  "  Dick  passed  up  from  N.  Orleans  some  ten  days  since  on  his 
way  to  the  hot  springs  in  Arkensas,  wrote  a  few  lines  to  us  saying  that 
he  had  made  arrangements  for  the  boat  to  call  for  him  at  Bayou  Sara  on 
a  certain  day,  as  he  had  promised  to  call  for  Charles  Mathews  who  was  to 
accompany  him ;  the  boat  I  heard  yesterday  was  a  day  behind  her  time, 

&  as  they  were  three   miles  out  in  the   country  at  Mrs  M s  the  boat 

would  not  wait  until  they  could  get  in  ;  the  consequence  was  they  were 

1 06 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

left ;  I  heard  yesterday  from  a  gentle  who  had  just  seen  Dick,  that  he 
had  abandoned  the  trip  " — so  that  all  hopes  of  his  benefitting  from  that 
quarter  or  I  greatly  fear  from  any  other  is  at  an  end ;  if  he  is  not  restored 
to  health  by  the  opperation  of  nature,  there  is  but  little  hope  that  he  will 
be  so,  by  any  exertion  on  his  part,  but  things  must  take  their  course  as 
he  has  arrived  at  that  age  when  he  must  act  for  himself;  if  gentle  advise 
will  not  have  the  proper  effect,  nothing  else  ought  to  be  thought  of  in 
regard  to  controlling  him — 

I  think  the  arrangements  made  with  Rob,  a  much  better  one  than 
sending  him  to  Kentucky  or  any  where  else  against  his  will ;  I  hope  the 
school  he  is  at  will  prove  at  at  least  a  good  preparatory  one,  so  that  he 
may  at  once  enter  college  on  leaving  it ;  should  it  be  deemed  desirable  to 
have  him  go  through  one.  I  am  pleased  to  hear  he  is  content  to  live 
with  his  grand  mother.  I  have  read  his  letter  &  that  of  Mr  C.  with 
much  interest ;  he  Rob  no  doubt  has  sufficient  capacity  for  any  calling  in 
or  common  to  our  country,  if  the  same  be  properly  directed,  &  he 
should  take  proper  advantage  of  the  opportunities  which  I  hope  will  be 
offered  him  if  so  he  can  not  fail  to  be  distinguished  in  whatever  pursuit 
he  may  determine  on  with  industry  &  perseverance.  I  regret  there  is  no 
suitable  school  for  the  girls  near  the  Barracks,  or  that  you  have  not  been 
able  to  get  a  proper  teacher  for  them  in  your  family ;  but  you  will  I  pre 
sume  have  to  send  them  to  some  boarding  school  in  the  fall  if  not 
before  ;  but  it  seems  to  me  the  better  &  most  economical  plan  would  be 
if  it  could  be  done  to  get  a  competent  teacher,  male  or  female  in  the 
family,  as  the  girls  would  then  be  at  all  times  under  the  eye  of  their 
parents,  &  particularly  their  mother,  which  is  so  very  important ;  but  if 
we  cannot  do  the  best  we  wish  in  such  matters,  we  must  be  content  to  do 
the  best  we  can  in  the  circumstances  in  which  we  are  placed.  I  feel  much 
solicitude  about  Ann  &  the  children  during  the  latter  part  of  the  summer 
&  the  first  months  of  autumn ;  sometimes  it  is  as  healthy  at  the  Barracks, 
&  even  in  the  city  during  the  whole  season  as  it  is  any  where  else,  in  our 
country,  it  was  so  the  last  &  may  prove  so  the  present ;  but  should  the 
yellow  fever  make  its  appearance,  or  any  other  contageous  disease  in  the 
city  or  at  the  Barracks,  you  must  at  once  remove  your  family  across  the 
lakes,  or  to  some  other  position.  What  is  most  to  be  feared  at  the  Bar 
racks  is  the  depositing  of  their  sick  there,  but  the  various  detachments 

107 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

of  troops  going  to  &  returning  from  Mexico,  which  can  hardly  fail  to 
produce  contageon  of  some  kind,  or  description —  I  hope  you  have 
heard  from  John  &  that  he  had  reached  his  place  of  destination  in  safety 
&  without  accident  on  the  way,  &  found  on  his  arrival  there  matters  & 
things  as  favorable  as  he  could  have  expected — 

I  recd  a  letter  from  Gen1  Patterson  before  leaving  N.  Orleans  recom 
mending  his  son  to  my  notice,  I  have  not  yet  heard  of  him,  but  pre 
sume  I  shall  find  him  out  when  the  volunteers  get  here  from  the  Rio 
Grande — 

I  have  no  doubt  that  Gen1  Scott  whose  professions  &  sincerity  I 
have  not  the  slightest  confidence  in,  after  striping  me  of  the  greater  por 
tion  of  my  available  force  will  give  the  necessary  orders  to  those  about 
him  to  write  to  certain  individuals  drawing  the  most  outrageous  compari 
sons  in  favor  of  the  column  under  his  command,  &  to  the  disadvantage 
of  this,  which  gives  me  but  little  concern  ;  &  I  am  now  pretty  well  satis 
fied  that  the  dep'  will  continue  to  do  as  it  has  heretofore  done,  if  not  to 
break  me  down,  at  any  rate  not  to  place  under  my  orders  a  force  that  will 
enable  me  to  accomplish  any  thing  further  of  importance.  The  great 
object  is  to  bring  Gen1  S.  before  the  country  as  the  prominent  candidate 
for  the  presidency,  as  they  can  make  terms  with  him,  in  the  event  of  his 
election  as  they  are  aware  they  cannot  elect  one  of  their  own  fraternity. 
The  Gen1  will  make  any  pleges  requested  of  him  ;  he  will  be  a  candidate 
for  the  office  in  question,  &  may  succeed  in  being  elected  as  he  will  carry 
with  him  a  large  section  of  the  Whigs  as  well  as  that  of  the  locofoco 
party.  If  the  election  was  to  take  place  now  or  in  a  short  time  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  he  would  have  but  little  chance  ;  but  a  great 
many  changes  may  be  brought  about  in  his  favor,  &  nothing  will  be  left 
undone  to  do  so  by  those  in  power,  as  well  as  many  out  of  office,  as  well 
as  to  injure  my  standing  with  the  country  between  this  &  Novr  1848.  I 
have  for  some  time  entertained  the  opinion  that  it  would  be  a  rare  occur 
rence  if  there  was  again  a  slave  holder  elevated  to  the  presidency,  & 
which  will  be  brought  up  &  made  great  use  of  against  me  by  the  wire- 
workers  between  this  &  the  time  of  holding  the  election  particularly  just 
before  it  takes  place.  I  can  only  wish  that  my  friends  who  have  brought 
my  name  so  prominently  before  the  country  for  said  office,  had  not  fixed 
on  some  other  individual  ;  for  the  more  I  reflect  on  the  matter,  the  less 

108 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

inclination  I  feel  of  entering  on  the  duties  connected  with  the  office  ;  & 
if  some  good  honest  man  can  be  elected  I  will  acquiesce  in  such  an 
arrangement  with  great  pleasure — 

I  must  say  that  I  feel  much  gratification  at  the  two  appts  conferred 
on  Gen1  Davis  as  he  richly  merits  them  &  will  do  justice  to  either,  no 
matter  which  position  he  may  select  to  occupy,  civil  or  military;  I  think 
it  quite  likely  they  gave  him  the  app*  of  Br  Gen1  under  the  expectation  of 
keeping  him  out  of  the  Senate — 

I  regret  to  see  Gen1  Camerons1  letter  published,  notwithstanding  I 
am  &  always  have  been  a  democrat  of  the  Jeffersonian  school,  which 
embodies  very  many  of  the  principles  of  the  whigs  of  present  day ;  1  do 
not  however  wish  to  convey  or  that  they  should  be  for  me  any  opinions 
I  do  not  entertain  even  should  my  election  be  defeated  by  such  a  course. 
I  observe  that  Co1  May  is  or  was  still  in  N.  Orleans  quite  a  lion,  but  pre 
sume  he  has  lef  some  time  since  for  Washington  City  as  a  furlough  has 
been  given  him  for  three  months.  Gen1  Pillow  I  suppose  has  ere  now 
left  for  Tenesee;  as  the  volunteers  from  that  state  who  were  in  the  battle 
of  Cerro  Gordo  striped  the  lions  hide  from  his  shoulders  since  their  return 
to  N.  Orleans — 

I  recdby  the  last  mail  a  letter  from  Mr  Ringgold  of  the  22d  ult°  in 
which  he  says  the  water  in  the  river  rapidly  receded  after  it  commenced, 
which  had  enable  him  to  plant  several  hundred  acres  of  cotton,  which  he 
had  no  doubt  would  do  very  well  &  make  a  part  of  a  crop  if  not  attacks 
by  caterpillar  in  the  fall,  &  corn  enough  for  the  use  of  the  plantation  if 
the  season  should  prove  a  favorable  one;  this  is  better  than  I  had  expected 
some  time  since — 

I  presume  you  would  have  but  little  society  at  the  Barracks  as  most 
of  the  persons  residing  in  its  vicinity  are  Creole  French,  some  quite  gen 
teel  families,  but  generally  not  disposed  to  associate  with  Americans  or 
rather  our  country  people,  even  when  they  speak  our  language.  I  thought 
it  not  unlikely  you  might  be  called  on  by  some  of  them  in  a  professional 
way  who  spoke  English,  which  might  open  an  intercourse  so  far  as  the 
children  or  girls  were  concerned  which  might  prove  a  source  of  pleasure 
to  them —  The  great  objection  to  it  as  a  station  is  the  continued  appre- 

I     Probably  Simon  Cameron  (1799-1889)  who  was  adjutant-general  of  Pennsylvania  for  a  time  and  was  elected  to  the  Federal 
tenate  in  1845. 

IO9 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

hension  of  disease,  &  those  of  a  contageous  character.  I  very  much 
regretted  to  find  your  health  had  not  been  entirely  restored,  &  on  that 
accf  deeply  regret  you  could  not  at  once  have  been  assigned  to  a  Northern 
or  Eastern  station  at  any  rate  until  the  same  was  perfectly  restored  ;  but 
if  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst,  you  will  I  presume  have  to  quit  the  ser 
vice  as  your  means  well  managed  in  a  plentiful  country  would  give  your 
family  a  comfortable  support;  but  as  you  say  it  will  be  best  to  look  before 
leap,  or  not  to  act  in  a  hurry  or  without  proper  considerations  in 
so  important  a  matter — 

I  hope  my  family  take  as  little  interest  in  the  presidency  as  I  do,  & 
will  on  all  occasions  avoid  as  much  as  it  can  be  well  done  conversing  at 
all  on  the  subject,  except  in  a  jocular  way  among  themselves.  I  am 
gratified  to  find  that  Dick  acts  with  prudence  in  regard  to  this  matter — 
I  will  have  to  answer  many  very  many  letters  letters  as  to  my  politics,  as  well 
as  my  views  on  many  subjects  of  political  matters,  but  have  &  shall  con 
tinue  to  do  so  in  very  general  terms;  the  inquiry  as  to  whether  I  am  a 
whig  or  democrat  is  frequently  propounded  to  me,  by  people  who  ought 
&  know  better,  for  if  they  had  only  taken  the  trouble  to  look  into  the 
speeches  of  &  votes  of  a  majority  of  the  members  of  congress  they  would 
have  at  once  solved  the  question  at  the  same  time  I  have  never  meddled 
in  politicks,  or  been  mixed  up  with  them  in  any  way  nor  do  I  intend  to  do 
or  become  so,  for  if  I  ever  occupy  the  White  House  it  must  be  in  a  way 
that  I  can  be  the  president  of  a  nation  &  not  of  a  party — 

We  have  heard  nothing  from  Gen1  Scotts  column  directly  for  about 
two  months  ;  indirectly  we  learn  that  Puebla  was  taken  possession  of  on  the 
1 5th  ult°  &  no  doubt  our  people  ere  this  are  in  possession  of  the  City  of 
Mexico,  as  it  was  supposed  they  would  not  meet  with  any  opposition  in 
doing  so  where  it  was  reported  every  thing  was  in  the  greatest  state  of 
confusion  &  disorganization  ;  near  all  the  officers  of  the  gov1  had  resigned 
their  appointments  &  retired  from  the  city,  Santa  Anna  among  the  rest, 
nor  was  it  known  where  he  had  gone  to;  such  is  the  reports  which  have 
reached  us  ;  but  you  in  New  Orleans  are  much  better  informed  in  regard 
to  such  matters  than  we  are  here.  Whether  peace  will  be  the  immediate 
result  of  these  occurrencies  time  must  determine — 

Reenforcements  arrive  very  slowly  from  the  states  &  I  very  very 
much  doubt  if  a  proper  force  is  placed  under  my  orders  to  justify  my 

no 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

moving  into  the  enemies  country  farther  than  I  am  at  present ;  at  the 
same  time  Marcy  &  Richie1  will  keep  up  the  idea  with  the  people  that  a 
sufficient  force  was  ordered  to  join  me  to  have  enabled  me  had  I  been  dis 
posed  to  have  done  so,  to  have  acted  on  the  offensive,  taking  care  not  to 
let  it  be  known,  that  by  their  management  they  had  never  reached  me, 
nor  was  it  intended  they  should  do  so —  Some  time  since  several  regi 
ments  of  the  new  corps  were  ordered  to  Brazos  to  report  to  me,  &  soon 
after  I  was  informed  I  was  to  have  the  third  Dragoons;  soon  after  the 
regts  referred  to  were  ordered  to  Vera  Cruz,  soon  after  &  an  other  order 
was  given  to  send  five  comp8  of  the  third  dragoons  to  the  same  place — 
About  the  first  of  the  present  or  the  last  of  the  past  month,  a  special 
messenger  arrived  here  with  despatches  from  Washington,  whose  principal 
business  so  far  as  I  could  understand  it,  was  to  bring  me  a  statement  of 
the  troops  from  the  adj£  Gen1  at  Washington,  that  had  been  ordered  to 
join  me;  &  which  I  presumed  would  be  the  case;  but  the  mail  which  has 
just  reached  here  has  brought  a  communication  saying  the  troops  which 
had  been  promised  me  from  Illinois,  one  regc  of  Infr  had  been  sent  to 
Santa  Fe,  so  you  see  I  have  no  reliance  on  any  promises  from  that  quar 
ter  ;  every  thing  possible  will  be  done  if  not  to  break  me  down,  will  be 
to  keep  me  in  the  background —  But  it  is  a  long  lane  that  has  no  end 
or  turn  in  it.  I  still  contemplate  returning  &  joining  my  family  in  the 
fall  if  my  life  is  spared —  My  love  to  Ann  &  the  children  as  well  as 
kindest  regards  to  Majr  &  Mrs  Jouett  &  accept  my  sincere  wishes  for  the 
continued  health  &  prosperity  of  you  &  yours  through  a  long  life. 

Your  Friend 

Truly 

DR  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  A.     N.  Orleans  Barracks 

My  kindest  regards  to   Gen1  Brooke.      I  was  pleased  to   hear  that 
Kitty  &  her  children  had  got  to  the  Barracks 


Meaning  William  L.  Marcy,  secretary  of  war,  and  Thomas  Ritchie.      The  latter  (1778-1854)  edited  the  "  Enquirer"  in 

ssed  by 
in  1845 
:d  in  iS 
ability 

I  I  I 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

July  ijth  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  several  welcome  &  interesting  letters  of  the  9th  12th  19th  &  2oth 
ult°  accompanied  by  a  number  of  slips  cut  from  various  papers  which  go 
very  far  to  show  the  state  of  the  public  mind  at  the  present  moment  as 
regards  the  election  for  the  next  president,  in  addition  to  several  news 
papers,  the  Louisville  Journal  among  the  number  were  duly  recd  some  by 
yesterdays  mail,  &  others  several  days  previous,  for  all  of  which  you  have 
my  sincere  thanks.  It  was  a  source  of  much  real  pleasure  to  me,  to 
learn  from  your  several  letters  up  to  your  last,  that  all  was  well  including 
yourself  &  family  at  Baton  Rouge  when  last  heard  from  there  ;  also  that 
you  had  heard  from  John,  who  had  reached  his  place  of  destination  with 
out  accident,  &  I  truly  hope  ere  this  has  passed  his  examination  with 
credit,  &  entered  on  the  duties  of  his  profession ;  which  he  will  find  of  a 
very  rough  character  for  several  years  to  come,  which  industry,  persever 
ance  &  resolution  will  overcome.1  I  was  likewise  much  gratified  to  find 
that  Dick  had  at  last  gone  to  the  Arkensas  springs  &  sincerely  hope  he 
will  be  greatly  improved  in  health  by  bathing  &  drinking  the  waters  there, 
if  he  is  not  entirely  restored — 

I  deeply  regret  to  learn  from  you  that  Co1  Davis  wound  is  likely  to 
prove  so  tedious  in  getting  well,  I  had  hoped  it  would  have  healed  or 
nearly  so  by  the  time  he  reached  the  city;  but  from  what  you  say  I  much 
fear  it  will  give  him  much  trouble  as  well  as  subject  him  to  great  incon 
venience,  before  he  gets  the  perfect  use  of  the  limb.  I  have  not  heard 
whether  he  will  accept  or  not  the  app*  recently  conferred  on  him  of  Brgr 
Gen1  or  turn  his  attention  to  political  matters;  I  have  written  him  to  con 
sult  his  interest  &  inclination  before  he  committed  himself  in  respect  to 
either.  From  Graysons  letter,  as  well  as  other  signs  of  the  times,  I  think 
it  not  unlikely  we  will  have  peace  by  or  during  the  month  of  August;  if 
we  do  not  there  is  no  telling  when  this  war  will  terminate ;  but  I  hope  for 
the  best.  I  am  glad  you  conversations  with  Gen1  Pillow  were  of  a  gen1 
character,  he  is  I  consider  a  very  small  man  in  every  respect,  but  I  appre- 


I     John  Taylor  Wood,  grandson  of  Zacbary  Taylor,  passed  his  examination  and  entered  the  Naval  Academy,  April  7,  1847. 
See  Introduction. 

112 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

hend  has  the  ear  of  the  President,  as  well  as  that  of  some  of  his  advisers; 
&  he  carried  on  a  confidential  correspondence  with  those  dignitaries ;  it  is 
no  doubt  most  advisable  to  treat  him  &  others  of  similar  character  with 
courtesy  &  politeness  without  committing  oneself  with  them,  in  any  way — 
The  letters  &  packages  forwarded  by  Dr  Abadie  were  duly  recd  the 
Dr  reached  the  Brazos  in  safety,  &  will  be  assigned  to  duty  perhaps  at 
Camargo — 

I  presume  Mrs  Taylor  &  Betty  have  left  before  this  for  their  respect 
ive  homes,  I  hope  you  were  able  to  make  their  time  pass  pleasantly  while 
they  remained. 

Without  being  decided  fine,  I  imagine  the  likenesses  painted  of  me 
by  Mr  Alwood  are  tolerable;  the  one  which  has  been  just  finished  by  a 
Mr  Brown  from  Richmond  is  said  by  those  who  understand  or  are  judges 
of  such  matters  to  be  a  much  better  painting;  Mr  B.  has  nearly  completed 
a  group  of  officers,  myself  &  staff  in  addition  to  several  others,  which  I 
imagine  will  be  considered  a  good  painting  by  connoisseurs ;  he  is  now 
engaged  in  making  a  painting  describing  the  battle  ground  of  Buena  Vista; 
it  is  uncertain  when  he  will  complete  them,  but  I  suppose  for  the  most 
part  will  do  so  in  8  or  ten  days,  when  he  will  return  from  whence  he  came, 
stopping  a  short  time  in  N.  Orleans,  where  they  may  be  exhibited,  if  so 
you  no  doubt  will  examine  them  with  Ann  &  can  then  judge  as  to  the 
merits  of  both — 

On  the  subject  of  the  presidency  I  do  not  feel  my  inclination  for  that 
high  office  in  the  least  to  increase ;  on  the  contrary  as  the  election 
approaches  I  find  my  repugnance  to  meddling  in  the  matter  to  be  on  the 
increase,  &  alth°  I  suppose  I  must  serve  if  elected,  I  would  have  preferred 
some  other  individuals  I  could  name  for  said  office  who  I  would  prefer 
seeing  there  to  myself,  could  it  be  so;  &  I  consider  much  more  credit  due 
an  individual  who  declines  an  office  created  for  the  benefit  of  others,  when 
he  doubts  his  qualifications  to  fill  it  which  is  my  case  than  to  court  it  in 
any  way ;  I  shall  very  soon  become  the  target  at  which  all  the  aspirants 
will  open  their  fire  on,  through  or  from  countless  newspapers,  with  the 
Union  among  them  but  this  gives  me  but  little  concern,  as  I  do  not  intend 
to  be  driven  from  the  position  I  have  taken  at  any  rate  for  the  present, 
which  is  to  enter  into  no  explanations  as  to  my  political  creed,  nor  give 
any  pledges  to  what  I  will  do  in  certain  contingencies,  other  than  to  sup- 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

port  the  constitution  as  near  as  practicable,  as  was  construed  by  our  first 
chief  magistrates,  who  had  so  large  a  share  in  creating  &  putting  it  in 
motion.  I  am  now  satisfied  was  the  election  to  come  off  tomorrow  or 
even  next  Novr  I  would  be  elected  by  an  overwhelming  majority;  but 
things  may  greatly  change  between  now  &  Novr  1848,  nothing  being  more 
uncertain  &  fluctuating  than  popular  favor;  but  I  am,  &  intend  to  keep 
in  that  position  that  it  will  not  produce  the  slightest  mortification  should 
some  one  else  be  selected  at  the  time  of  holding  the  election  for  the 
office — 

We  have  no  positive  news  from  Gen1  Scott  since  about  the  time 
Grayson  wrote,  or  perhaps  a  few  days  after  which  stated  that  his  column 
would  leave  Puebla  for  the  City  of  Mexico  about  the  14th  ult°  but 
whether  or  not  it  done  so,  we  have  nothing  certain  in  regard  to  it ;  we 
are  looking  for  news  from  that  quarter  with  the  greatest  anxiety,  & 
hope  that  ere  now  some  arrangements  have  taken  so  far  at  least  as  to  pre 
pare  the  way  for  opening  negotiations,  which  will  lead  to  the  amicable 
adjustment  of  all  difficulties  between  the  two  countries.  I  had  but  little 
doubt  the  placing  me  under  the  orders  of  Gen1  Scott  was  done  with  the 
hope  &  expectation  of  mortifying  me,  but  I  shall  remain  passive  as  re 
gards  such  contemplated  assaults  if  intended  as  such  or  in  fact  of  any 
kind  as  long  as  it  can  be  done ;  even  if  the  war  continues  I  hope  to  go 
out  the  first  of  Novr  which  will  be  soon  at  hand.  Let  matters  eventuate 
as  they  may  I  hardly  expect  to  have  a  force  sufficient  placed  under  my 
orders  to  authorize  my  making  a  forward  movement ;  my  command  will 
be  on  paper,  or  a  considerable  of  it.  By  referring  to  Gen1  Scotts  sugared 
letter  from  N.  York  &  which  was  marked  unofficial,  but  which  by  acci 
dent  or  design  found  its  way  into  the  Union  when  it  was  supposed  I 
had  been  annihilated  by  Santa  Anna  which  was  done  to  reconcile  my 
friends  to  having  my  throat  cut  or  to  relieve  the  Secretary  of  War  & 
his  friend  the  Gen1  from  anything  like  censure  for  withdrawing  from  me 
so  large  a  portion  of  my  force  ;  in  which  he  the  Gen1  stated  that  I  had 
already  done  enough  ;  this  was  before  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  after 
said  battle  there  cannot  be  a  doubt  but  those  two  individuals  in  addition 
to  some  others,  conceived  I  had  not  only  done  enough  but  quite  too 
much  ;  &  I  hardly  think  I  will  be  placed  in  a  situation  to  accomplish 
anything  of  importance ;  among  the  troops  now  on  this  line  there  is 

114 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

much  sickness  &  some  deaths  in  several  of  the  regts  while  others  are 
comparatively  healthy.  A  considerable  portion  of  the  new  Volunteers  on 
paper,  who  are  to  compose  a  part  of  my  command,  appear  to  be  very 
slow  in  reaching  the  Brazos  ;  &  letters  have  been  recd  here  stating  in 
some  of  the  states  men  to  serve  on  foot  in  Mexico  could  not  be  raised. 
I  shall  however  be  constantly  on  my  guard,  as  regards  making  my 
opinions  known  either  by  letter  or  in  any  other  way  in  which  they  can 
be  misrepresf.nted,  &  I  hope  my  friends  will  do  the  same — 

I  am  heartily  tired  of  inaction,  in  which  state  I  have  been  kept  for 
the  last  three  months  &  more  &  if  the  war  is  to  be  continued  I  would 
like  to  do  somewhat  if  ever  so  little  to  aid  in  bringing  it  to  a  close. 
Had  I  been  permitted  to  have  done  so,  I  would  very  much  liked  to 
have  led  one  of  the  columns  against  the  City  of  Mexico,  but  the  powers 
that  be  determined  otherwise,  &  I  must  submit  in  the  best  way  I  can  ; 
but  if  I  have  not  done  so  it  is  no  fault  of  mine  which  I  hope  will  be 
understood  by  the  community  at  large  ;  but  those  who  control  my  move 
ments  think  I  have  done  enough —  I  feel  some  anxiety  about  Ann  & 
the  children  remaining  at  the  Barracks  during  the  summer  &  autumn  ; 
but  should  it  become  unhealthy  or  any  contageous  disease  should  make 
its  appearance,  you  could  in  one  day  send  your  family  to  some  healthy 
place  on  the  lakes  where  they  would  be  completely  out  of  danger — 

I  was  pleased  to  hear  that  Puss  was  about  to  return  to  B.  Rouge  to 
go  to  school,  as  she  ought  to  lose  no  time  in  getting  through  with  her 
education  which  I  hope  when  completed  will  be  a  substantial  one.  I 
trust  she  will  go  up  with  Betty —  Bety  writes  that  Bob  is  with  his 
grandmother  &  goes  to  school  which  he  does  very  regular.  We  have 
nothing  of  interest  in  this  quarter —  My  love  to  Ann  &  the  children 
&  regards  to  Cap1  &  Mrs  Juett  if  the  latter  is  with  him  &  accept  my  best 
wishes  for  the  continued  health  &  prosperity  of  you  &  yours  through  life. 

Your  Friend  Truly 

&  Sincerely 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD,  N.  Orleans  Barracks. 

I  was  gratified  to  find  the  blunder  I  committed  in  relation  to  the 
drafts  had  been  arranged  without  difficulty — 

IT5 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

July  20th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  truly  welcome  &  interesting  letters  of  the  25th  ult°  &  Ist  in 
stant  inclosing  one  from  John  with  several  newspapers  &  a  number  of 
scraps  cut  from  others,  have  been  received,  for  which  I  feel  truly  grate 
ful —  It  was  &  always  is  a  source  of  much  real  pleasure  to  hear  that 
you  were  all  well  at  the  Barracks,  &  at  Baton  Rouge  which  I  truly  hope 
will  long  continue.  I  truly  pleased  to  hear  from  John  &  particularly  so 
that  he  had  passed  passed  his  examination  with  credit,  &  most  truly  do  I 
hope  his  course  will  be  marked  by  industry  &  prudence  in  connection 
with  perseverance,  if  so  &  his  life  is  spared,  his  cours  will  I  have  no 
doubt  if  not  brilliant  one,  will  be  highly  creditable  to  himself,  his  country 
&  all  deeply  interested  in  him  ;  his  prospects  are  certainly  as  flattering  as 
they  could  be  expected  at  this  time — 

I  also  recd  a  letter  from  Betty  since  her  return  to  Baton  Rouge 
stating  that  all  was  well,  her  letter  was  dated  on  the  3<Dth  ult°.  Mrs  Wm 
Taylor  did  not  stop  but  continued  on  home  ;  she  expects  to  make  a  visit 
to  Virginia  the  present  season,  I  suppose  they  have  left  by  this  time  ;  I 
was  quite  pleas  to  learn  that  Puss  had  gone  up  with  Betty  to  be  put  to 
school  there,  &  trust  she  will  beneffit  by  the  arrangement.  I  expect  her 
mother  with  dumple  will  soon  follow,  &  where  should  it  prove  healthy 
they  had  all  better  pass  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  &  the  first  of 
autumn,  or  until  it  is  healthy  at  the  Barracks  &  there  is  no  danger  of 
contageous  diseases  breaking  out  there.  Mrs  Taylor  will  not  leave  B. 
Rouge  unless  it  becomes  sickly  there,  in  which  case  she  will  go  to  the 
watering  places  back  of  N.  Orleans  on  the  lakes ;  perhaps  to  Pasca- 
goula —  It  was  fortunate  you  did  not  find  the  scrape  Bob  had  got  into, 
so  serious  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  remove  him  to  any  other  school  as 
it  would  not  have  done  to  have  sent  him  back  to  the  institution  he  had 
left  in  Kentucky ;  what  to  do  with  him,  or  where  to  send  him  to  an  insti 
tution  suited  to  his  age  &  temper  is  rather  difficult  to  say  ;  but  you  will 
no  doubt  do  what  you  can  to  promote  his  interest  &  let  matters  &  things 
take  their  course  afterwards — 

I  am  a  little  surprised  that  none  of  the  family  have  heard  from  Dick 

116 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

since  he  went  to  the  Arkensas  Springs,  as  they  as  well  as  myself  must 
feel  great  anxiety  respecting  him,  but  hope  if  he  has  used  the  waters 
properly,  that  he  has  received  great  benefit  from  them,  if  not  that  he  has 
returned  to  B.  Rouge  by  this,  &  will  at  once  make  trial  of  the  mineral 
springs  in  Virginia ;  for  unless  his  disease  is  removed  very  soon,  in  all 
probability  he  will  be  afflicted  for  life.  I  observe  Finlay  has  been  or 
dered  to  Jalapa,  he  has  as  well  remain,  or  perhaps  better  where  he  was 
in  the  country.  Wells  has  been  fortunate  in  getting  to  the  N.  Port 
Barracks,  it  would  have  suited  you  very  well,  but  I  imagine  it  will  be 
rather  a  temporary  station  for  an  Army  Surgeon  ;  as  soon  as  this  war  is 
brought  to  a  close,  it  will  be  a  place  for  a  hired  physician,  at  least  I  pre 
sume  that  will  be  the  case.  You  must  be  satisfied  with  your  position  at 
any  rate  for  the  present,  you  will  find  it  pretty  much  as  I  stated  it  to  be 
when  you  first  went  there  but  as  the  danger  from  sickness  is  the  greatest 
objection  to  it.  While  this  war  lasts  you  may  always  calculate  on  having 
an  overflowing  hospital,  made  up  from  the  sick  going  &  returning  to  & 
from  Mexico ;  if  they  do  not  bring  or  leave  with  you  some  contageous 
disease  it  will  be  the  less  matter ;  but  you  must  get  on  the  best  way  you 
can  hoping  for  better  times  &  things — 

Co1  Taylor  was  truly  fortunate  in  getting  out  in  pretty  good  health, 
&  at  the  time  he  did,  I  presume  he  joined  his  family  some  time  since. 
Jouett,  I  fear  since  his  family  has  left  him,  will  soon  get  the  blues  &  I 
should  not  be  surprised  if  he  very  soon  applies  for  a  sick  leave  if  he  has 
not  already  done  so — 

I  had  observed  a  short  time  since  from  one  of  the  newspapers  which 
reached  here  an  accc  of  the  flumery  played  off  in  devotion  real  or  pre 
tended  as  regards  the  forms  &  ceremonies  appertaining  to  the  Catholic 
religion  at  Puebla  &  other  places  which  I  thought  were  in  bad  taste  & 
expected  they  would  be  animadverted  on  through  the  press  in  stringent 
terms.  While  I  would  respect  &  have  it  done  as  far  as  it  was  right  & 
proper  to  do  so,  every  religious  denomination,  Catholic  as  well  as 
Protestant,  yet  I  have  a  great  contempt  for  hypocricy  &  deceit  of  any 
kind,  more  particular  in  regard  to  religious  matters  ;  but  the  parties  con 
cerned  have  done  much  in  bolstering  themselves  up  &  putting  others 
down  by  the  aid  of  deceipt,  &  misrepresentation.  But  it  seem  to  me  the 
country  has  been  so  mislead  &  mistified  in  regard  to  this  Mexican  war, 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

that  they  hardly  know  how  to  act  in  relation  to  any  transaction  which 
may  take  place  in  relation  or  connection  with  it,  no  matter  how  absurd 
or  outrageous  it  may  be — 

On  the  subject  of  the  presidency  as  I  stated  to  you  on  a  former 
occasion  I  am  satisfied  if  the  election  was  to  come  off  now  or  during  the 
present  year,  that  nothing  could  prevent  my  election  to  that  high  office  ; 
but  great  changes  may  &  in  all  probability  will  take  place  between  now 
&  the  time  for  holding  the  election  ;  all  the  influence  &  power  of  the 
administration  will  be  brought  to  bear  on  me  ;  &  the  greatest  efforts  will 
be  made  to  extol  Gen1  Scotts  achievements  beyond  anything  that  has 
occurred  in  this,  or  any  other  age  or  country  ;  as  I  am  satisfied  he  gave 
in  his  adhesion  to  the  powers  that  be  to  pull  me  down,  or  himself  up 
before  he  got  the  authority  to  strip  me  of  my  command,  or  so  large  a 
portion  of  it ;  I  look  on  him  as  hartless  &  insincere  an  individual  as 
exists.  I  believe  the  Union  &  perhaps  a  large  portion  of  those  filling 
high  places  at  Washington,  would  prefer  seeing  Mr  Clay  elected  or  in 
fact  almost  any  one  else  than  myself  to  the  office  in  question  ;  but  it 
seems  to  that  pary  will  advocate  the  pretensions  of  Gen1  Scott,  who  by 
very  adroit  management  they  may  succeed  in  electing,  as  very  many  of 
the  Whigs  no  doubt  will  vote  for  him,  he  having  a  strong  party  in 
the  great  state  of  New  York  ;  the  greatest  stumbling  block  in  his  way, 
will  be  the  bringing  Wright  forward  as  the  democratic  candidate.  If  I 
was  certain  that  Mr  Clay,  Judge  McLean,  J.  J.  Crittenden,  Judge  Clay 
ton  of  Delaware  &  many  others  I  could  name  could  be  elected  I  would 
at  once  between  ourselves,  retire  retire  from  the  contest  ;  but  I  would 
undergo  political  martyrdom  rather  than  see  Gen1  Scott  or  Cass  elected  ; 
I  would  greatly  prefer  Wright  or  Vanburen  to  either  of  them —  I  have 
not  seen  the  articles  referred  to  by  you  in  the  Baltimore  paper  ;  I  have 
many  ardent  friends  in  that  city  ;  I  recd  a  letter  from  Mr  Crittenden  the 
other  day,  among  other  matter  saying  he  had  just  recd  a  letter  from  the 
honble  R.  Johnson  of  Baltimore  one  of  the  senator  from  Maryland, 
stating  that  if  the  election  was  to  take  place  at  this  time  he  believed  I 
would  get  every  state  in  the  Union — 

I  think  it  very  doubtful  even  if  the  war  continues  I  will  have  such 
a  force  as  I  ought  to  justify  my  making  a  forward  movement,  for  we 
have  on  the  Rio  Grande,  &  at  Saltillo  &  tremendious  sick  report,  larger 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

I  apprehend  in  proportion  than  it  was  the  last  year  at  this  time  ;  it  seems 
to  me  where  ever  volunteers  go  &  recruits  to  unless  mixed  up  or  incor 
porated  with  old  soldiers  or  are  embodied,  there  every  disease  will  be 
known  to  the  human  family.  Besides  I  understand  from  private  letters 
recd  here  that  a  battalion  called  out  from  Alabama  could  not  be  raised 
which  was  to  form  part  of  my  comd  nor  have  I  heard  any  thing  from  the 
Jersey  &  Maryland  Battalions  which  were  to  form  a  portion  of  my 
forces  also  ;  nor  do  we  know  here  what  progress  has  or  is  making  to  fill 
the  ranks  of  one  of  the  new  regts  the  13  which  has  been  assigned  to  me. 
1  am  however  making  every  arrangement  for  a  forward  movement,  & 
shall  advance  on  San  Luis  Potosi  as  soon  as  all  the  reenforcement  ex 
pected  reach  the  country,  unless  otherwise  directed— 

I  feel  much  solicitude  as  regards  Mrs  Taylors  health,  Betties,  Anns 
&  the  children  during  what  is  called  the  sickly  season,  but  if  it  becomes  un 
healthy  at  the  Barracks  the  girls  &  Ann  must  go  to  B.  Rouge,  if  unhealthy 
there  they  must  go  to  Pascagoula  or  some  other  healthy  place  on  the  lake — 

I  recd  a  letter  from  Co1  Davis  since  his  arrival  at  home,  he  appears 
undetermined  what  course  to  pursue  as  regards  accepting  the  app'  of 
Bris  Gen1  or  not;  if  the  war  continues  I  think  he  is  inclined  to  accept ;  I 
have  written  advising  him  to  consult  his  interest  &  inclination,  &  to  pur 
sue  that  course  which  he  thinks  will  be  most  conductive  to  his  future  fame, 
prosperity  &  happiness.  The  Co1  speaks  of  Gen1  Scott  in  harsh  terms  ; 
his  duplicity  to  ward  me  has  been  rarely  equalled ;  but  let  it  all  pass— 

From  newspapers  recd  here  printed  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  there  is 
but  little  doubt  that  some  communications  have  taken  place  between 
Gen1  Scott,  then  at  Puebla,  &  the  Mexican  authorities,  on  the  subject  of 
negotiations  but  how  far  the  same  was  entered  into  or  what  will  be  the 
result  is  not  developed  ;  but  it  is  something  to  get  the  subject  before  the 
Mexican  people  &  their  rulers,  &  I  can  but  hope  for  the  best — Remem 
ber  me  most  affectionately  to  Ann  &  the  children  if  any  of  them  are  with 
you,  if  not  when  you  write  to  them,  as  well  as  my  regards  to  Gen1  Brooke 
&  Jouett,  &  wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity 

I  remain  Truly 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD,  and  Sincerely  your  Friend 

U.  S.  Army  Z.  TAYLOR 

New  Orleans  Barracks 

119 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


[Camp  near  Monterey,  Mexico,  August  5th  1847.] 

My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  two  very  acceptable  &  interesting  letters  of  the  iyth&  24th 
ins1  with  one  from  Dr  Foltz  have  this  moment  reached  me,  for  which  you 
have  my  sincere  thanks.  In  addition  to  the  information  which  you  com 
municated  in  regard  to  Dicks  health,  I  am  pleased  to  say  I  recd  a  letter 
by  the  last  mail  from  an  acquaintance  in  Little  Rock,  informing  me  he 
had  been  at  the  Springs  with  Dick,  who  he  thought  had  very  decidedly 
improved  in  health,  &  that  if  he  would  remain  some  7  or  8  weeks,  he 
had  but  little  doubt  with  prudence,  &  a  proper  use  of  the  water  he  would 
be  entirely  restored  which  I  truly  hope  will  be  the  case  ;  1  hope  he  has 
left  by  this  time  &  will  join  his  mother  &  remain  with  her  until  I  can  join 
her.  It  is  always  the  source  of  the  highest  gratification  to  learn  you  & 
the  children  in  addition  to  Mrs  T.  &  Betty  were  all  well  &  particularly 
surprised  to  learn  the  later  had  changed  their  minds,  &  of  course  Ann 
would  be  govd  by  their  movements,  as  to  where  they  would  spend  the 
summer,  as  I  had  supposed  from  previous  letters  they  would  by  this  all 
been  located  at  the  Harrods  Springs  ;  Betty  says  the  reason  for  giving  up 
that  place,  was  the  fear  of  not  being  able  to  get  up  the  Ohio  on  ace1  of 
low  water,  which  was  all  sufficient ;  alth°  I  think  they  would  have  met 
with  light  boats  enough  to  have  overcome  that  difficulty  had  there  been 
no  doubts  as  to  their  reaching  Louisville  without  difficulty  I  would  I 
believe  on  many  accts  have  preferred  the  first  to  the  latter  plan  ;  it  would 
have  been  much  more  invigorating  to  them  all  including  Ann  &  the  girls, 
as  well  as  much  less  expensive  ;  the  first  would  have  been  better  if  Mrs 
Taylor  had  deferred  her  trip  to  Pascagoula  until  about  the  middle  or 
2Oth  of  August,  &  remained  across  the  Lake  until  the  first  or  middle  of 
Novr  by  going  over  so  early  in  the  season  she  may  be  weary  of  the  place, 
&  wish  to  return  before  it  is  prudent  to  do  so,  if  the  fall  should  be  a  sickly 
one.  It  seems  to  me  your  determination  of  keeping  your  family  with  you 
as  long  as  it  was  healthy,  &  remove  them  to  where  Mrs  Taylor  &  Betty 
was  as  soon  as  it  became  otherwise,  was  a  judicious  one,  as  they  can  leave 
any  time  in  the  course  of  an  hour  or  two,  whenever  necessary.  I  regret 
you  thought  it  advisable  to  bring  Rob  down,  I  had  hoped  you  would  have 
found  it  to  his  advantage  to  have  left  him  with  Mr  Burk,  as  I  regret  to 

120 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

hear  of  his  losing  any  time  from  the  prosecution  of  his  studies ;  I  do  not 
believe  it  would  be  advisable  to  send  him  back  to  Mr  Aliens  School  as  he 
having  once  left  there,  it  is  hardly  likely  he  would  remain  if  sent  back 
again  ;  but  you  must  do  the  best  you  can  with  him.  The  making  of  a 
Hospital  of  the  barracks  at  B.  Rouge  would  of  itself  made  it  desirable  for 
families  who  could  do  so  should  leave  there  until  it  was  ascertained 
whether  the  sick  sent  there  from  Vera  Cruz  would  bring  with  them,  or 
disseminate  anything  like  a  contagious  disease  around  the  place.  I  think 
you  acted  right  in  remaining  where  you  are,  particularly  as  Harney  has  a 
fee  simple  right  in  the  station,  alth°  I  tremble  at  the  prospect  of  your 
continuing  where  you  are  through  the  autumn,  as  you  can  hardly  fail  to 
have  yellow  fever  there  at  some  time  during  the  season.  I  was  very  much 
pleased  to  hear  the  city  continued  to  be  healthy,  &  that  the  few  cases  of 
fever  which  had  made  its  appearance  there  had  not  spread  beyond  the 
Hospital — 

I  am  much  obliged  to  Dr  Foltz's  flattering  notice  as  regards  my  pros 
pects  for  the  presidency,  the  realizing  of  which  I  am  by  no  means  anxious 
to  see  take  place.  I  notice  his  remarks  in  relation  to  John  which  was 
very  gratifying  to  me,  I  hope  he  John  will  spend  his  vacation  pleasantly 
among  his  relatives  should  he  visit  them,  after  which  to  return  to  his 
studies  with  renewed  zeal.  I  mentioned  in  my  last  the  cours  matters 
were  taking  as  regards  my  Cincinnati  letter  published  in  the  Signal,  it 
will  be  only  a  seven  days  wonder,  when  it  will  be  forgotten,  &  amounts 
to  nothing  more  than  I  do  not  wish  to  be  the  candidate  at  all,  &  I  hope 
yet  to  avoid  being  so  ;  my  family  are  perfectly  right  in  not  desiring  that  I 
should  meddle  in  it  in  any  way,  which  I  consider  shows  their  good  sense. 
I  fear  neither  Judge  McGuire  nor  Co1  White  saw  my  crop,  &  spoke  from 
hear  say,  or  from  the  gen1  appearance  of  those  they  had  seen,  as  my  last 
letter  from  my  manager  represented  my  crop  as  most  unpromising,  which 
must  be  correct ;  I  make  no  doubt  the  situation  of  the  place  referred  to 
by  Judge  McGuire  is  as  bad  as  it  can  be,  &  shows  the  necessity  of  my 
attend  to  my  private  affairs  in  person.  Co1  Taylor  has  not  written  to  any 
one  here  or  in  the  country  so  far  as  I  know,  since  he  left  it.  I  wrote  you 
a  long  letter  by  the  last  mail,  &  have  &  shall  continue  to  keep  you 
advised  of  every  thing  of  importance  in  this  quarter.  My  correspond 
ence  however  is  becoming  too  voluminous,  so  much  so  that  I  may  not  be 

121 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

able  to  write  as  often  as  I  wish,  or  would  do  under  other  circumstances, 
this  you  must  not  be  surprised  at,  nor  must  it  prevent  your  continuing  to 
write  me  as  often  as  heretofore,  as  it  allway  affords  me  pleasure  to  hear 
from  you,  &  of  the  health  &  wellfare  of  yourself  and  family  ;  the  oftener 
the  better.  It  is  out  of  the  question  to  preserve  copies  of  my  letters — 
If  Dick  was  or  could  be  with  me  I  would  give  him  charge  of  all  my  pri 
vate  correspondence  ;  but  in  my  present  position  it  is  out  of  the  question 
to  devote  much  time  to  political  matters  without  neglecting  my  public 
duties.  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  there  was  some  unkind  feelings  on 
the  part  of  Gen1  Scott  towards  the  administration  on  ace'  of  Mr  Trist's1 
powers  to  conclude  a  peace,  with  are  full  &  complete  as  far  as  they  go,  or 
can  be  made  by  the  executive ;  which  no  doubt  the  Gen1  thinks  ought  to 
have  been  conferred  on  him,  as  I  have  no  doubt  he  would  like  to  have 
had  the  handling  of  the  money  appropriated  by  congress  for  defraying  the 
expenses  of  said  negotiation  but  let  them  quarrel  &  fight  as  they  may 
among  themselves  it  will  give  me  no  concern  ;  I  can  but  entertain  the 

O  O  ? 

opinion  that  Scott  &  a  portion  of  the  administration  united  to  break  me 
down,  &  as  they  suppose  they  got  me  pretty  much  out  of  the  way,  they 
may  get  on  the  best  or  worst  way  they  can  ;  they  are  all  of  a  piece — 

The  ultra  whigs  talk  of  no  compromise  you  say,  nor  do  I  wish  them 
to  make  any,  my  own  cours  has  been  determined  on  which  I  shall 
not  depart  from  be  the  consequences  what  they  may,  which  is  that  I  have 
no  wish  to  be  an  exclusive  candidate  of  the  whig  party  alth°  nomenally 
belonging  to  it  &  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  had  I  voted  at  the  last  elec 
tion  for  a  chief  magistrate  it  would  have  been  for  Mr  Clay  ;  this  will  make 
the  ultra  Democrats  flare  up  &  will  furnis  Mr  Richey  &  other  kindred 
spirits  to  open  an  other  fire  on  me,  but  I  will  not  disguise  my  opinions 
let  the  consequences  be  what  they  may  nor  have  I  any  concealments  on 
that  head — 

I  delivered  your  letter  myself  to  Jarvis ;  who  said  he  had  just 
recd  a  letter  from  you —  Dr  Craig  leaves  in  a  day  or  two  for  the  states, 
which  make  Jarvis  medical  director —  A  Mr  Brown  an  artis  from  Rich 
mond  has  just  completed  a  number  of  portraits  mine  among  the  number, 

i  Nicholas  T.  Trist  (1800-1874)  studied  law  under  Thomas  Jefferson,  was  private  secretary  to  President  Jackson,  served  as 
consul  at  Havana,  and  became  assistant  secretary  of  state  in  1845.  He  was  sent  to  Mexico  and  assisted  in  framing  the  treaty  of 
peace  in  1848. 

122 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

that  of  the  officers  of  my  staf  as  well  as  a  group  of  myself  &  staff;  he 
leaves  in  a  few  days  for  N.  Orleans  ;  if  Ann  &  the  children  are  at  the 
Barracks  when  he  gets  to  the  city,  I  wish  you  to  take  to  take  them  to  see 
them —  Betty  in  her  letter  stated  she  expected  Mr  Conrad1  &  his  two 
daughters  would  go  to  Pascagoula  with  her  &  her  mother ;  if  so  it  will 
obviate  the  necessity  of  your  going  over  with  them,  as  they  could  not  have 
a  better  escort,  or  better  protection  while  he  remains  with  them — 

I  regret  to  say  the  prospects  for  peace  are  not  as  flattering  as  when 
I  last  wrote  you  ;  last  accts  from  Mexico  say  that  negotiation  had  been 
broken  off,  &  it  is  supposed  Gen1  Scott  is  now  in  the  City  of  Mexico  ;  so 
ends  peaceful  calculations  ;  this  line  is  to  be  barely  a  defensive  one,  &  all 
the  troops  that  can  be  spared  from  it,  are  to  be  sent  to  Vera  Cruz  to 
reenforce  Gen1  S.  My  love  to  Ann  &  the  children  &  wishing  you  & 
yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  I  remain  truly 

Your  Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

N.  Orleans  Barracks 

My  love  to  John  when  you  write  him,  as  well  as  regards  to 
Majr  Jouett. 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

Aug  25th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  several  letters  of  the  29th  ult°  &  4th  ins'  have  just  reached  me 
with  your  correspondence  with  Majr  J.  which  agreeable  to  your  wishes 
was  destroyed  as  soon  as  read ;  the  Louisville  Journals  &c  came  to  hand 
at  the  same  time  for  all  of  which  accept  my  best  thanks — 

It  was  truly  gratifying  to  me  to  learn  that  you  Ann  &  the  children, 
as  well  as  Mr3  Taylor  &  Betty  continued  to  enjoy  good  health,  which  I 


I     Meaning  Frederick  Conrad  of  Louisiana,  a  brother  of  Charles  M.  Conrad  who  was  a  prominent  Louisiana  politician  and 
served  in  both  the  Federal  and  Confederate  congresses  and  was  secretary  of  war  from  1850  to  1853. 

123 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

sincerely  hope  will  continue  to  be  the  case  ;  as  they  have  I  suppose  ere 
now  all  reached  Pascagoula,  I  feel  pretty  easy  as  regards  their  health,  & 
other  matters.  I  hope  they  will  get  on  without  difficulty,  accidents  or 
misfortunes  of  any  kind  or  description.  My  greatest  fears  are  for  you, 
being  apprehensive  that  yellow  fever  in  a  malignant  form  may  be  brought 
to  the  Barracks  from  Vera  Cruz,  as  there  must  now  be  a  great  deal  of 
intercours  between  the  two  places  or  it  may  originate  in  New  Orleans,  & 
extend  to  the  Barracks,  or  even  at  the  latter  place  ;  all  that  I  can  say  on 
the  subject  is,  that  I  hope  you  will  by  great  caution  escape  that  &  all  other 
diseases — 

I  truly  regretted  to  hear  of  the  difficulty  between  you  and  the  Majr 
of  the  3d  Infy  as  I  conceive  it  was  unnecessary  on  your  part  to  have  any 
with  him  ;  I  look  on  him  more  as  a  child  or  an  old  woman  than  in  any 
other  light  &  while  I  would  from  self  respect  as  well  as  respect  for  the 
service  treat  the  Majr  with  the  courtesy  due  to  his  rank,  but  nothing  more, 
byond  which  my  course  towards  him  would  be  as  th°  there  was  no  such 
being  in  existance  &  those  who  were  so  weak  &  contempt  as  as  to  be 
governed  &  influenced  by  him ;  nothing  short  of  his  pulling  my  hair,  or 
putting  his  fingers  in  my  eyes  would  induce  me  to  notice  him.  I  do  not 
feel  dishonored  by  any  airs  his  good  lady  may  put  on  however  ill  they 
may  become  her,  or  can  me  or  mine  be  honored  by  any  attention  from 
him  or  his —  The  proper  course  is  to  let  such  people  pass  as  if  they 
were  not  in  existance,  or  never  would  be — 

I  was  truly  gratified  to  hear  that  Dick  had  so  much  improved  in  health, 
&  with  proper  care  hope  he  will  very  soon  be  entirely  well.  I  am  how 
ever  very  much  vexed  he  should  have  passed  through  N.  Orleans  without 
calling  at  the  Barracks  to  see  you  his  sister  &  the  children,  &  offered  his 
services  to  conduct  them  to  Pascagoula,  or  any  where  else,  Ann  or  the 
girls  might  have  wished  to  have  gone.  In  my  last  I  mentioned  that 
Mr  Conrad  had  proposed  accompaning  Mr8  T.  &  Betty  across  the  Lake, 
&  was  pleased  to  learn  from  you  that  he  had  done  so,  as  they  could  not 
have  had  a  better  escort  &  would  save^you  the  trouble  of  going  over  with 

them.      I  think  it  would  have  done  better  if  Mr8  T deferred  her  visit 

to  about  the  middle  of  the  present  month,  &  remained  to  the  middle  of 
Novr  her  return  to  B.  Rouge  ought  to  be  regulated  by  the  health  at  that 
place — 

124 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

Finlay  is  in  an  unfortunate  predicament  &  I  do  not  regret  his  not 
coming  here — 

I  feel  much  indebted  to  Gen1  Broke  for  his  kindness  to  you  and  par 
ticularly  so  for  his  very  kind  offer  to  accompany  Mrs  Taylor  &  Betty 
across  the  Lake  and  beg  you  to  offer  him  my  thanks  for  the  same ;  at  the 
same  time  I  am  gratified  there  was  no  necessity  for  his  doing  so — 

Since  I  wrote  you  nothing  has  occurred  here  worth  mentioning ;  the 
last  official  information  we  had  here  from  the  other  column  was  by  the 
way  of  N.  Orleans,  which  was  contained  in  the  Picayune  of  the  yth  ins1 
I  have  put  or  ordered  between  two  &  three  thousand  troops  to  that  line; 
unless  negotiations  are  going  on  &  even  pretty  well  advanced,  Gen1  Scott 
must  be  ere  this  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  which  if  he  can  hold  onto  &  keep 
his  communications  open  with  Vera  Cruz,  &  peace  does  not  grow  out  of 
it,  there  is  no  telling  when  this  unfortunate  war  will  end  ;  should  it  not  do 
so  before  the  next  meeting  of  Congress  I  hope  the  active  operations  will 
stopped,  &  we  will  take  a  line  that  we  would  accept  by  a  treaty,  occupy 
it,  &  withdraw  our  forces  beyond  it,  acting  entirely  on  the  defensive  with 
the  exception  of  blocking  their  ports,  if  it  is  not  deemed  expedient  to 
keep  possession  of  them.  I  am  glad  you  hear  frequently  from  John  & 
most  truly  &  sincerely  do  I  hope  he  may  do  well.  Rob  &  the  girls  ought 
to  be  at  school  some  where,  but  as  to  the  proper  place,  I  am  unable  to 
determine  on — 

I  presume  I  may  be  considered  pretty  fairly  committed  for  the  presi 
dency  ;  but  will  rejoice  should  some  one  else  be  taken  up  for  said  office, 
between  now  &  holding  the  election  for  that  office,  as  I  would  quit  the 
field  as  candidate  for  the  same,  with  as  much  pleasure  as  I  would  leave 
Mexico —  So  far  as  I  can  judge  I  do  not  believe  my  Signal  letter  is  cal 
culated  to  do  me  much  injury,  &  will  like  my  letter  to  Gen1  Gaines,  be  a 
seven  days  wonder  when  it  will  be  forgotten 

Please  remember  me  most  affectionately  to  Ann  &  the  chidren  when 
you  write  &  wishing  you  all  continued  health  happiness  &  prosperity  I 
remain  your  Friend 

Truly 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

N.  Orleans  Barracks 
N.  Orleans 

125 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Camp  near  Monterey 

Mexico  Augl3ist  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Mr  Kilbourn  of  the  Artillery  having  determined  to  leave  for  a  short 
time  on  sick  leave,  &  will  pass  through  N.  Orleans  on  his  way  up  the 
Mississippi,  I  have  advised  him  to  call  at  Barracks  &  advise  with  you  as 
to  the  best  mode  of  his  getting  through  the  city  &  on  board  of  a  steam 
boat  as  I  very  much  regret  to  hear  the  yellow  fever  is  in  the  city  &  prov 
ing  fatal  in  a  great  many  instances —  I  need  not  ask  you  to  give  him 
such  advice  on  this  subject  as  may  aid  him  avoiding  the  contageon  if  prac 
ticable,  as  he  is  a  most  excellent  young  officer.  I  wrote  you  at  length  by 
the  last  mail ;  since  nothing  of  importance  has  taken  place  in  our  front ; 
nothing  official  from  Gen1  Scotts  collumn,  a  report  has  reached  here  said 
to  have  been  brought  by  a  letter  from  an  Englishman  in  the  City  of 
Mexico,  to  a  friend  in  San  Luis  Potosi  &  by  him  to  his  friend  in  Saltillo, 
stating  that  on  the  14*  of  the  present  month  Gen1  Scotts  advance  was 
then  in  sight  of  the  capital,  where  the  greatest  confusion  prevailed,  & 
that  negotiations  were  going  on  which  he  thought  would  result  in  a  peace  ; 

o  o          o  o  A 

that  Santa  Anna  was  running  about  the  city  apparently  out  of  his  wits,  & 
that  he  thought  500  resolute  men  could  take  the  city— 

I  hope  sincerely  the  yellow  fever  will  not  make  its  appearance  at  the 
Barracks,  &  that  it  will  not  do  so  ;  at  any  rate  that  you  will  be  very  care 
ful  of  keeping  out  of  the  infected  part  of  the  city,  as  well  as  every  as 
every  where  else  as  far  as  it  was  possible  to  do  so  ;  as  well  as  to  take  every 
other  precaution,  to  keep  from  taking  it  as  far  as  it  was  possible  to  do — 

I  recd  a  letter  by  the  mail  which  reached  here  a  day  or  two  since  from 
Betty,  dated  the  2d  ins1  saying  they  had  reached  Pascagoula  &  were  com 
fortably  fixed  ;  that  the  company  was  numerous  &  pleasant,  but  the  yel 
low  fever  had  broken  out  in  Mobile,  as  well  as  in  N.  Orleans  ;  that  Ann 
of  course,  &  the  children  nor  Dick  had  reached  there  ;  but  hope  they 
have  done  so  before  this,  &  are  comfortably  located — 

I  presume  Jouett  has  taken  his  departure  ere  this — 

My  love  to  Ann  &  the  children  when  you  write,  &  wishing  you  & 
yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  I  remain 

Your  Friend 
Truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 
126 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

I  recd  nothing  from  you  by  the  last  arrival  our  date  from  N.  Orleans 
are  up  to  the  9th  two  days  later  than  were  recd  by  the  mail  which  here  1 1 
days  previously — 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 
U.  S.  Army 

N.  Orleans 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

September  8th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

I  wrote  you  a  short  note  a  few  days  since  by  L<  Kilbour  who  left  for 
S'  Louis  on  a  short  sick  leave,  &  a  long  letter  by  the  mail  which  left  a 
few  days  before,  in  answer  to  your  two  last,  one  dated  the  latter  part  of 
July,  the  other  the  6th  ult°  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  not  being  able  to 
refer  to  them,  as  I  make  it  a  rule  to  destroy  all  private  letters  as  soon  as  I 
reply  to  them — 

We  have  this  moment  recd  information  which  is  thought  can  be  relied 
on  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  across  the  country  by  the  way  of  San  Luis 
Potosi  which  is,  that  Gen1  Scott  on  the  22d  ult°  defeated  a  division  of  the 
Mexican  army,  a  short  distance  from  the  city  near  6,000  strong  under  the 
command  of  Gen1  Valencia,  killing  &  capturing  nearly  the  whole,  among 
the  former  was  Gen1  Salas ;  if  so  no  doubt  he  is  in  possession  of  the  capi 
tal  ere  this  ;  if  not  prevented  doing  so  by  negotiations  for  peace ;  as  soon 
as  I  learn  officially  he  is  in  the  capital,  or  negotiating  for  peace,  I  shall 
apply  to  leave  for  the  U.  States,  &  hope  to  be  in  N.  Orleans  by  the  first 
of  December,  if  the  indulgence  is  granted — 

It  is  now  22  days  since  we  had  a  mail  from  N.  Orleans,  a  stray  Delta 
reached  here  a  few  days  since  of  the  12th  ult°  brought  to  the  Brazos  by  some 
sailing  vesel,  from  which  I  regretted  to  see  the  yellow  fever  was  making 
considerable  ravages  in  N.  Orleans  ;  I  sincerely  hope  it  will  not  find  its 
way  to  the  Barracks ;  but  I  hope  Ann  &  the  children  are  now  comforta 
bly  located  at  Pascagoula ;  where  I  truly  hope  there  will  be  nothing  con- 
tageon  or  disease  of  any  kin  or  description —  I  must  say  I  feel  great 

127 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

uneasiness  on  your  accf  &  hope  you  will  use  every  precaution  to  keep  out 
of  all  infected  places,  &  if  you  have  to  come  in  contact  with  that  dreaded 
disease  you  will  take  every  precaution  against  taking  it,  as  well  as  to  keep 
the  system  prepared  to  encounter  it  should  it  come.  I  have  written  to 
Betty  which  is  herewith  inclosed  to  you,  stating  should  the  yellow  fever 
make  its  appearance  at  Pascagoula,  &  they  can  do  no  better,  they  had 
better  all  go  to  Fort  Pike,  where  there  are  good  quarters  &  health,  & 
where  by  getting  a  few  mosquitoe  bars,  mattrasses  &  something  to  eat  they 
might  make  out  to  spend  a  short  time,  until  it  was  safe  for  them  to  return 
to  Baton  Rouge  &  the  Barracks;  at  the  same  I  hope  no  such  contingency 
will  arise — 

When  you  write  remember  me  most  affectionately  to  Ann  &  the 
children  as  well  as  to  John  &  wishing  you  all  continued  health  &  pros 
perity  I  remain  truly  your 

Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

N.  Orleans  Barracks 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

September  14th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

The  mail  which  has  just  arrived  after  being  without  one  for  26  or  7 
days,  brought  me  your  welcome  letters  of  the  8th  14th  15th  &  2oth  ult°  with 
the  newspapers  scraps  &c  which  you  were  so  good  as  to  forward,  for  all 
of  which  I  am  greatly  indebted  to  you.  I  was  very  much  pleased  as  well 
as  gratified  to  hear  you,  Ann  &  the  children  as  well  as  Mrs  Taylor  & 
Betty  were  all  well  when  you  last  wrote,  &  heard  from  them,  &  most  sin 
cerely  do  I  hope  this  state  of  things  will  continue,  alth°  I  feel  great  anxiety 
on  your  own  &  their  ace1  until  there  is  a  frost,  which  will  put  an  end  to 
the  yellow  fever,  as  I  am  apprehensive  it  may  find  its  way  to  the  crowded 
watering  places  on  the  Lakes  &  can  hardly  fail  doing  so,  to  the  barracks, 
before  the  cold  weather  sets  in.  Betty  writes  me  from  East  Pascagoula  on 

128 


Z^L^^^X^ 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

the  2d  ult°  that  the  place  was  crowded  to  overflowing,  that  many  were 
compelled  to  sleep  on  the  floors  &  in  the  galleries  ;  that  Ann  had  arrived 
&  found  it  impossible  to  get  a  room,  &  had  to  go  to  West  Pascagoula, 
wher  she  &  the  girls  were  quite  comfortable,  &  would  join  her  mother  as 
soon  as  they  could  give  her  a  room,  which  she  B.  though  would  be  very 
soon,  when  they  would  get  together,  which  I  trust  is  by  this  time  if  not 
before —  She  also  stated  that  Dick  hadjoined  them  very  much  improved 
in  health,  &  after  remaining  a  few  days,  had  gone  on  to  the  White  Sul- 
pher  springs  in  Virginia,  which  he  had  been  advised  to  do;  which  I  rather 
regret  his  doing  on  ace1  of  the  lateness  of  the  season,  they  generally  have 
frost  in  that  region  early  in  Septr  at  any  rate  by  the  2oth  when  all  visitors 
take  their  departure.  I  think  if  John  gets  on  board  a  good  vessel  with 
a  proper  commander  he  will  do  well  in  taking  the  contemplated  voyage, 
even  if  he  is  absent  from  the  U.  States  for  several  years,  as  it  will  be  in 
the  way  of  his  duty ;  he  has  selected  a  profession  which  is  a  highly  honor 
able  one,  but  in  its  commencement  attended  with  many  privations  & 
severe  trials,  which  I  sincerely  hope  he  will  cheerfully  meet  &  overcome; 
a  voyage  such  as  is  in  contemplation  I  trow  if  he  lives  to  pass  through  it, 
will  be  the  most  unpleasant  one  he  will  ever  have  to  encounter;  I  hope 
let  him  be  where  he  may,  he  will  not  lose  sight  of  his  studies,  but  will 
devote  himself  to  his  book  every  moment  he  can  spare  from  his  duties  ; 
I  hope  he  will  be  as  ambitious  to  be  a  good  scholar,  as  he  will  to  be  an 
able  seaman.  At  any  rate  he  has  my  constant  wishes  for  his  entire  suc 
cess.  1  hope  Bob  went  of  his  own  will  or  consent  to  Mr  Aliens  school,  in 
Kentucky  &  that  he  will  remain  there  until  he  is  prepared  for  college,  or 
some  other  situation  ;  the  changes  of  schools  so  frequently,  generally  ends 
in  learning  but  little  by  those  who  do  so — 

We  have  just  recd  a  cross  the  country  the  gratifying  intelligence  alth° 
not  official,  can  be  relied  on,  that  Gen1  Scott  defeated  one  division  of  the 
Mexican  army  5000  strong  within  a  few  miles  of  the  capital,  killing  & 
capturing  nearly  the  whole  which  had  resulted  in  an  armistice  to  afford  an 
opportunity  to  enter  into  negotiations  for  peace  which  I  sincerely  hope 
will  grow  out  of  it  &  that  it  is  brought  to  a  close  by  this  time  if  not 
before;  if  so  it  will  enable  some  of  us  at  least,  myself  among  the  number 
to  return  to  the  U.  States;  should  negotiations  be  broken  off  as  soon  as  I 
ascertain  the  fact,  &  hear  that  Gen1  Scott  has  taken  possession  of  the  City 

129 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

of  Mexico,  I  will  apply  for  permission  to  return  to  the  United  States  & 
hope  to  be  able  to  join  my  family  by  the  first  of  Decr  or  soon  after — 
Under  all  the  circumstances  in  which  you  are  placed,  I  think  you  have 
decided  correctly  to  remain  where  you  are  for  the  present,  &  most  truly 
do  I  hope  you  will  escape  the  effects  of  any  contageous  disease,  even 
should  anything  of  the  kind  visit  your  station.  The  barracks  I  consider 
by  no  means  a  desirable  station,  but  it  will  be  vastly  more  so,  than  many 
which  will  have  to  be  occupied  by  us  in  this  quarter,  Santa  Fe,  Callifor- 
nia  &  Oregon  &  on  the  route  to  that  country.  On  the  subject  of  resign 
ing  it  seems  to  me  you  ought  not  to  think  of  doing  so  even  if  your  lot  is 
to  remain  where  you  are,  unless  you  saw  your  way  clear  to  do  better;  for 
Dr  Frankling  say  in  one  of  his  proverbs  "he  who  has  an  office  has  an 
estate,  &  he  who  has  a  trade  has  a  fortune,  but  the  first  must  be  attended 
to  &  the  latter  carried  on."  There  is  no  doubt  with  your  means  &  what 
I  could  do  for  Ann,  you  might  in  some  of  the  Western  states  or  Western 
N.  York  by  managing  the  same  judiciously  live  very  comfortably  but 
could  be  hardly  satisfied  to  do  nothing  or  next  to  nothing,  for  it  is  now 
too  late  in  life  to  think  of  going  into  private  practice;  but  I  would  resign 
rather  than  be  stationed  permanently  on  this  frontier,  in  Callifornia,  New 
Mexico  or  Oregon;  it  is  unnecessary  to  take  trouble  on  interest,  as  we 
have  a  plenty  without — 

On  the  subject  of  the  presidency  between  ourselves  I  do  not  care  a 
fig  about  the  office,  I  would  much  rather  remain  in  the  army  in  command 
of  the  Southern  division  or  will  if  necessary  retire  from  public  life,  rather 
than  go  to  Washington,  so  they  the  editors  &  others  may  publish  my  let 
ters  &  make  as  many  comments  on  them  as  they  please.  I  think  my 
friend  Gen1  Hunt  a  goo  deal  visionary,  an  excellent  man,  yet  I  would  not 
commit  myself  with  him  ;  let  politicians  determine  on  who  they  will  elect  for 
vice  as  well  as  president,  &  so  they  are  honest  &  capable  is  all  I  care  about — 

As  to  Scotts  &  Worths  falling  out,  unless  to  mask  some  dirty  work, 
I  do  not  believe  a  word  of  it ;  you  will  see  when  understood  what  it  all 
amount  to— 

You  will  see  at  the  coming  session  of  congress  great  efforts  made  or  I 
am  mistaken,  to  bring  other  individuals  than  my  self  before  the  country 
for  the  presidency,  Gen1  S.  one  of  them,  but  how  far  he  will,  or  who  will 
reach  that  office  time  must  determine — 

130 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

I  hope  Co1  Davis  will  enter  into  no  pledges  in  order  to  go  the  Senate, 
or  any  where  else,  &  am  satisfied  he  will  not  if  at  all  improper —  As  to 
Gen1  Houston  it  is  a  matter  of  no  moment  what  his  opinion  is  of  me,  as 
they  can  be  but  of  little  importance  be  they  what  they  may —  I  appre 
hend  no  outbreak  with  England,  be  her  cause  of  grievances  what  they 
may;  she  cannot  do  without  our  trade;  alth°  our  people  might  be  ready 
to  rush  into  war  with  her ;  since  our  unprecedented  success  in  Mexico  ; 
but  should  we  have  to  measure  strength  with  John  Bull,  we  will  find  some 
difference  between  him  &  the  Mexicans — 

Co1  Randall  has  not  got  here  I  have  ordered  an  escort  by  this  mail, 
to  accompany  him  from  Camargo  to  this  place,  &  shall  look  for  him  in 
about  ten  days 

Wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  as  well  as  my 
love  to  Ann  when  you  write  her  &  the  girls,  I  remain  truly 

Your  Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

P.  S.  I  hope  Jouett  has  made  his  escape  ere  this,  &  got  some  where 
out  of  reach  of  the  fever—  Let  me  hear  from  you  by  every  opportunity 
if  only  a  half  dozen  lines  as  I  shall  be  very  uneasy  until  frost. 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

Septr  27th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  very  welcome  &  interesting  letters  of  the  27th  ult°  &  5th  & 
8th  ins1  with  copies  of  one  to  you  from  Co1  Davis  &  one  from  a  Mr  Eaton 
of  N.  York,  accompanied  by  several  papers  &  scraps  cut  from  various 
other,  having  just  reached  me,  all  of  which  have  been  read  with  deep  inter 
est  &  for  which  you  have  my  sincere  thanks.  It  was  to  me  a  source  of 
real  gratification  to  hear  you  were  all  in  good  health  when  you  last  heard 
from  Pascagoula  which  I  sincerely  hope  they  will  long  continue  to  enjoy ; 
alth°  I  am  under  constant  apprehension  &  shall  continue  so  particularly 
on  your  acc£  until  I  know  the  contageon  which  is  now  so  fatal  in  the  city  & 
I  fear  has  reached  the  Barracks,  has  subsided ;  as  you  must  be  constantly 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

breathing  &  infected  atmosphere,  &  you  will  be  more  than  fortunate  if 
escape  it ;  but  you  will  should  it  come  have  the  system  well  prepared  by 
diet,  so  as  to  pass  through  its  baneful  effects  without  any  serious  results 
growing  out  of  it.  I  got  a  letter  from  Betty  saying  they  were  all  well, 
dated  the  24th  that  Ann  &  the  two  girls  had  joined  them  ;  &  that  the 
crowd  had  very  much  diminished ;  all  of  which  I  was  pleased  to  hear, 
as  the  danger  of  any  contagion  will  diminish  in  breaking  out  there,  or 
spreading  should  it  be  brought,  as  the  visitors  diminish.  I  hope  you  will 
have  heard  from  Rob  before  this  that  he  reached  his  place  of  destination 
in  good  health  without  accident,  &  entered  on  his  studies  with  zeal  &  per 
severance.  I  am  pleased  that  John  is  likely  to  have  a  long  voyage  in  the 
Pacific,  as  it  is  in  the  way  of  his  profession,  &  I  wish  to  see  him  a  dis 
tinguished  member  of  it,  &  to  do  so  he  must  unite  both  practice  & 
theory ;  I  sincerely  hope  he  will  not  for  a  moment  neglect  his  books  & 
studies — 

On  the  subject  of  the  family  going  to  Kentucky  your  included,  I 
preferred  their  doing  so  to  going  to  the  Lakes,  as  I  thought  it  would  have 
been  more  beneficial  to  their  health,  &  would  have  avoided  the  danger 
from  fever  at  the  watering  places  on  the  lakes  which  I  have  known  to  be 
very  fatal  at  those  places,  &  avoid  the  danger  from  its  effects  should  they 
have  to  pass  through  N.  Orleans  while  it  is  liable  to  be  taken  ;  &  if  they 
have  to  remain  at  Pascagoula  until  frost,  which  in  all  probability  will  be 
some  time  in  Novr  they  will  become  heartily  tired  of  the  place  before  it 
will  be  prudent  for  them  to  leave  it,  particularly  should  it  be  healthy  at 
B.  Rouge ;  but  I  trust  all  will  end  well — 

If  Ann  Bob  &  the  girls  had  any  one  to  look  after  &  attend  to  their 
wants,  I  do  not  consider  your  plan  of  locating  Ann  if  it  met  her  wishes, 
at  New  Haven  or  Geneva,  until  the  children  were  educated,  which  would 
take  perhaps  some  four  years ;  it  would  perhaps  be  less  expensive  than 
sending  them  to  boarding  schools,  &  it  seems  to  me  that  it  is  very  desir 
able  to  have  children  especially  girls  educated  under  the  eye  of  their 
mothers ;  this  would  have  been  better  than  resigning  unless  you  could  go 
at  once  into  private  practice,  which  is  difficult  to  do.  Should  this  war 
continue  which  there  is  every  prospect  of  its  doing  for  some  time,  officers 
both  line  &  staff  must  expect  to  be  separated  from  their  families,  to  a  very 
great  extent,  &  fortunate  will  he  be,  after  it  is  over,  who  can  obtain  a 

132 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

tolerably  pleasant  station,  as  the  whole  country  from  the  gulf  along  the 
boundary  which  seperates  the  U.  States  &  Mexico  to  the  Pacific,  will  have 
to  be  garrisoned— 

About  the  9th  ins1  we  recd  across  the  country  alth°  not  official,  news 
which  could  be  relied  on,  that  Gen1  Scott  had  defeated  the  Mexican  army 
after  two  days  fighting  which  terminated  on  the  20th  ult°  near  the  City  of 
Mexico,  which  had  resulted  in  an  armistice  to  afford  Mr  Trist  &  commis 
sioners  on  :he  part  of  the  Mexican  gov'  an  opportunity  to  settle  the 
differences  between  the  two  countries  by  negotiation  ;  we  are  therefore 
calculating  here,  that  the  war  would  soon  be  brought  to  a  close  &  that  we 
would  be  able  to  return  once  more  to  the  U.  States  to  mingle  with  our 
families  &  friends  ;  but  how  great  the  disappointment ;  three  days  since 
information  reached  us  as  before  across  the  country,  which  can  be  relied 
on,  that  negotiations  &  of  course  the  armistice  had  been  broken  off,  & 
that  hostilities  commenced;  which  was  on  the  9th  insc  the  result  of  which 
has  not  reached  us  ;  but  I  presume  Gen1  Scott  is  now  in  the  city  ;  as  soon 
as  I  hear  that  is  the  case,  &  he  is  in  full  &  peaceable  possession,  I  shall 
apply  for  permission  to  return  to  the  U.  States  &  hope  I  shall  be  able  to 
join  my  family  early  in  December,  if  not  by  the  first ;  but  most  things 
are  uncertain,  but  I  shall  do  so,  as  soon  as  I  can  leave  with  propriety ;  & 
my  family  &  friends  must  not  expect  me  before — 

The  deaths  by  yellow  fever  in  the  city  are  truly  distressing  particu 
larly  in  Augf  much  more  than  they  had  been  for  many  years  during  the 
same  period,  &  I  much  fear  the  same  will  continue  to  be  the  case  during 
the  present  &  following  months  or  Septr  &  October  or  until  there  is  a 
frost  to  check  it  in  the  latter ;  the  only  thing  that  will  prevent  this  being 
the  case,  will  be  the  decrease  of  unacclimated  persons  for  it  to  operate 
on—  I  am  astonished  that  all  who  could  do  so,  did  not  at  once  leave 
the  city  as  soon  as  that  disease  made  its  appearance —  Denny  could  have 
sent  his  family  somewhere  out  of  its  influence.  It  was  a  source  of  real 
gratification  to  learn  the  cases  you  had  at  the  Barracks  were  of  a  mild 
form,  &  that  most  of  those  attacked  had  recovered,  &  truly  do  I  hope 
that  this  favorable  state  of  things  may  continue ;  the  number  of  sick  at 
the  Barracks  are  too  numerous  for  one  physician,  &  there  out  to  be  some 
one  to  aid  you ;  if  there  is  no  Army  Dr  a  citizen  should  be  hired —  I 
think  Gen1  B.  acted  wisely  in  going  out  of  the  city,  &  I  suppose  he  is 

'33 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

located  at  Pascagoula  until  the  sickly  season  is  at  end.  The  troops  on  this 
line  particularly  at  Saltillo,  have  greatly  improved  in  health  during  the  last 
six  weeks — 

It  is  impossible  to  say  what  course  Congress  will  pursue  even  should 
the  Whigs  have  a  small  majority  in  the  next  House  of  Representatives, 
in  regard  to  this  war,  which  I  think  is  becoming  more  unpopular  every 
day  judging  from  the  facility  of  raising  volunteers,  particularly  in  the 
West,  as  well  as  in  obtaining  recruits  for  the  regular  army,  that  the  whigs 
will  hardly  withhold  the  necessary  supplies  for  carrying  it  on  while  we  had 
so  large  an  army  in  the  field ;  which  the  Union  says  will  be  30  thousand 
with  Gen1  Scott  in  a  very  short  time ;  which  I  should  not  be  surprised  at, 
judging  from  the  number  of  the  new  regts  of  volunteers  which  are  called 
out,  &  now  on  their  way  to  Vera  Cruz  to  act  on  that  line ;  the  adminis 
tration  seems  just  to  have  waked  up  as  from  a  dream  &  it  is  not  improba 
ble,  this  wonderful  act  of  energy  has  been  brought  about  under  the 
expectation  that  it  would  have  a  bearing  on  a  whig  congress  in  many 
ways,  especially  in  the  way  of  supplies  &c —  I  have  read  Mr  Eaton's 
letter  or  the  copy  you  were  so  good  as  to  enclose ;  nor  would  I  go  into 
the  presidential  chair  by  subscribing  the  doctrines  he  has  laid  down ;  nor 
will  I  accept  a  nomination  exclusively  from  either  of  the  great  parties 
which  divide  the  country,  the  moment  I  done  so,  I  would  become  the 
slave  of  a  party  instead  of  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation  should  I  be 
elected ;  without  meddling  with  politics,  or  mixing  myself  up  with  politi 
cal  men  in  any  way  I  have  for  many  years  considered  the  policy  advocated 
by  the  whigs  for  the  most  part,  more  nearly  assimelated  to  those  of  Mr 
Jefferson  than  those  of  the  opponents  which  induced  me  to  range  myself 
on  that  side,  &  with  these  views  I  would  have  voted  for  Mr  Clay  at  the 
last  election,  had  I  voted  at  all,  which  I  have  never  done  for  any  one  of 
our  chief  magistrates  since  I  entered  the  army  or  before,  which  is  near 
forty  years ;  &  could  the  present  state  of  our  national  affairs  have  been 
forseen,  I  believe  that  every  man  who  loved  his  country  more  than  party 
or  office,  would  have  done  the  same.  I  would  not  be  chief  magistrate  on 
any  other  terms  than  those  which  I  have  avowed ;  &  have  written  to 
several  political  men  to  that  effect.  All  who  are  writing  me  about  a  U. 
States  Bank  which  is  dead,  &  will  not  be  revived  in  my  time,  the  tariff 
which  will  be  increased  only  for  revenue ;  internal  improvement,  which 

134 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

will  go  on  in  spite  of  presidential  vetoes ;  &  the  Wilmot  proviso,  which 
was  brought  into  congress  to  array  the  South  against  the  [North]  must,  or 
ought  to  be  left  to  congress,  the  president  has  nothing  to  do  with  making 
laws,  he  must  approve  or  veto  them  ;  when  approved  or  passed  by  a 
majority  of  two  thirds,  his  business  is  to  see  them  proper  executed.  My 
opinion  on  those  subjects  are  in  too  many  instances  used  to  my  injury  ; 
1  have  already  said  enough  which  has  been  published  &  shall  refer  all  such 
writers  to  what  has  been  already  written  &  published — 

No  one  can  possibly  respect  the  opinions  of  an  other  more  than  I  do 
those  of  Co1  Davis  &  I  know  he  is  my  most  devoted  &  ardent  friend, 
but  I  think  he  is  mistaken  in  supposing  the  whigs  as  a  body  are  haling 
off  from  me;  but  even  if  they  should  do  so,  it  is  no  reason  I  should 
change  my  opinion  in  political  matters  ;  I  shall  pursue  a  straight  forward 
course  deviating  neither  to  the  right  or  left  so  that  comes  what  may  I  hope 
my  real  friends  will  never  have  to  blush  for  me,  so  far  as  truth,  honesty  & 
fair  dealings  are  concerned.  If  the  whigs  think  proper  to  play  a  double  part 
with  the  purpose  of  deceiving,  it  will  result  to  their  disadvantage  &  not  to 
mine ;  nor  shall  I  complain  if  they  drop  me  altogather,  &  take  up  some 
one  else,  as  I  most  truly  say  I  do  not  want  the  office  ;  &  sincerely  regret  I 
was  thought  of  for  the  same.  I  have  just  concluded  long  letter  to  a  per 
sonal  friend  a  moderate  whig  in  answer  to  one  from  him,  in  which  he  says 
some  of  the  strong  Democrats  in  K?  who  were  ready  to  unite  with  the 
whigs  in  the  Lexington  district,  to  nominate  me  for  the  presidency  with 
out  regard  to  party,  &  that  arrangements  had  been  made  for  such  a  meet 
ing  when  the  whigs  backed  out  of  it,  as  was  supposed  through  the 
influence  of  Mr  Clay,  &  thought  I  would  aid  in  bringing  Mr  C.  before 
the  country  for  the  office  in  question;  in  reply  I  informed  him  that  alth° 
I  would  much  prefer  seeing  Mr  Clay  in  the  chair  of  state  than  myself,  & 
would  not  be  in  his  way  if  I  knew  he  could  be  elected,  yet  I  would  not 
loan  myself  to  elevate  Mr  C.  or  any  one  els  to  that  position  ;  alth°  1  had 
recd  several  letters  urging  me  to  decline  in  favor  of  that  individual  &  to 
urge  his  election  ;  these  letters  I  have  paid  no  attention  to,  nor  do  I  intend 
to  do  so  ;  believing  the  people  are  capable  of  attending  to  such  matters,  & 
if  I  was  to  presume  to  attempt  to  dictate  to  them  who  they  ought  to  place 
at  the  head  of  the  gov1  it  would  have  the  effect  to  make  him  Mr  C.  more 
unpopular,  &  me  ridiculous.  As  a  matter  of  course  there  are  many  both 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

whigs  &  democrats  that  will  be  opposed  to  me,  or  any  other  individual 
who  will  not  go  the  whole  length  of  the  party- 
Co1  Davis  is  correct  in  supposing  the  abolitionists  will  oppose  my 
election,  or  that  of  any  Southern  man  ;  &  I  have  doubts  if  we  have  for 
many  years  another  president  from  a  slave  holding  state,  &  particularly  a 
slave  holder.  The  Co1  is  also  correct  in  believing  that  the  Secretary  of 
War  was  not  disposed  to  give  me  such  a  force  as  would  have  justified  me 
in  making  a  forward  movement  into  the  heart  of  the  enemies  country  ;  I 
am  satisfied  it  was  long  since  determined  by  Mr  Marcy  &  others  after  due 
consultation  &  deliberation,  that  I  should  not  have  an  opportunity  of 
accomplishing  any  thing  more  than  I  had  already  done ;  which  determi 
nation  has  been  carried  out  to  the  very  letter  up  to  the  present  moment ; 
but  I  hope  the  Co1  will  let  this  pass,  when  he  takes  his  seat  in  the  senate 
or  if  he  notices  it  at  all,  it  will  only  be  in  an  incidental  way — 

Among  others  I  regret  to  hear  of  the  very  unpleasant  state  of  the 
weather,  from  unusual  long  cold  rains,  which  must  have  a  very  serious 
influence  on  the  prevailing  disease  unavoidably  so,  besides  the  gloom  it 
must  cast  over  those  who  are  under  the  necessity  of  witnessing  the  rava 
ges  it  makes  ;  but  ere  this  I  sincerely  hope  the  weather  has  become  as 
pleasant  as  could  be  expected  at  the  present  season,  &  that  it  has  had  the 
effect  of  arresting  the  contagion  to  some  extent,  as  well  as  to  impart  more 
cheerfulness  to  those  who  are  mixed  up  with  it.  There  is  no  probability 
of  my  returning  to  the  city  until  long  after  the  contageon  passes  away — 
There  will  be  no  doubt  a  great  blow  out  between  Kearney,  Fremont, 
Benton  &  the  Secretary  of  War,  how  it  will  all  terminate  time  must  deter 
mine  ;  it  is  possible  as  they  are  all  togather  at  Washington  it  may  all  be 
arranged  without  proceeding  to  extremeties  by  mutual  explanations,  & 
concessions  as  they  are  all  politicians ;  Benton  will  be  most  difficult  to 
satisfy — 

Between  ourselves  Gen1  Scott  would  stoop  to  any  thing  however  low 
&  contemptable  as  any  man  in  the  nation,  to  obtain  power  or  place,  &  be 
as  arbitrary  in  using  it  when  in  possession;  between  him,  Trist  &  the 
powers  that  be,  old  Harry  may  take  the  hindmost,  they  are  all  of  a 
piece — 

The  plan  of  leaving  the  troops  on  their  way  to  Vera  Cruz  above  is  a 
very  judicious  one,  until  transportation  be  provided  to  send  them  to  their 

136 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

place  of  destination  as  it  would  not   do  to  stop  them  in  the  city  or  in  the 
influence  of  the  infected  atmosphere— 

The  anxiety  about  the  safety  of  your  family  is  quite  natural  but  it 
ought  not  to  absorb  every  other  consideration  ;  we  should  do  the  best 
we  could  for  them,  after  which  to  submit  to  the  decrees  of  an  all  wise 
providence  in  the  best  way  we  could— 

I  regret  my  position  before  the  country  as  a  candidate  for  the  chief 
magistracy  should  give  you  one  moments  concern,  for  I  can  truly  say  I 
will  be  fully  as  well  satisfied  if  dropped  as  a  candidate,  or  left  out  as  I 
would  be  in  reaching  that  high  station  ;  for  admitting  I  should  do  so,  it 
will  neither  lengthen  my  days,  nor  add  to  my  happiness,  why  then  should 
I  wish  it 

I  thank  you  for  the  way  you  replied  to  Mr  Eaton.  As  every  thing 
is  very  wet,  I  fear  you  will  have  great  difficulty  in  making  out  what  I  have 
written — 

We  have  this  moment  recd  information  here  that  Gen1  Scott  had 
fought  a  battle  on  the  1 2th  ins1  had  defeated  the  Mexicans  &  entered  the 
City  of  Mexico,  Santa  Anna  having  abandoned  it,  which  I  presume  is  the 
case,  we  have  no  particulars  ;  &  presume  you  will  receive  all  the  import 
ant  events  connected  with  it  by  the  way  of  Vera  Cruz  before  this  reaches 
you — 

My  love  to  Ann  &  the  children  when  you  write,  &  wishing  you  & 
yours  continued  health  &  prosperity,  I  remain  truly  your 

Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR. 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army  N.  Orleans  Barracks 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

October  5th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  several  letters  of  the  ioth  12th  15th  &  i8th  ult°  with  several 
newspapers,  &  a  number  of  slips  cut  from  others,  containing  a  number  of 
interesting  articles  has  just  reached  me  ;  but  the  most  gratifying  was  to 

137 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

hear  all  at  Pascagoula  as  well  as  yourself  continued  in  the  enjoyment  of 
good  health,  which  I  sincerely  hope  will  long  continue  to  be  the  case.  I 
have  great  apprehensions  on  your  acc£  from  the  effects  of  the  contageon, 
alth°  I  observe  from  the  papers  printed  in  the  city  as  well  as  from  your 
letters  that  the  deaths  pr  day  had  greatly  diminished,  but  it  may  be  owing 
to  the  decrease  of  unacclimated  persons  for  it  to  lay  hold  of;  be  this  as  it 
may  I  hope  you  will  avoid  as  far  as  possible  placing  yourself  in  a  position 
which  would  in  any  way  promote  your  taking  it,  as  well  as  to  keep  the 
system  constantly  prepared  to  meet  it  should  it  come,  so  that  there  would 
be  no  danger  of  an  unfavorable  result.  It  was  a  source  of  much  pleasure 
to  me  to  learn  that  Rob  had  arrived  safe  at  Louisville ;  as  it  must  have 
relieved  both  you  &  his  mother  from  the  deepest  anxiety  on  accr  of  his 
safety,  &  most  sincerely  do  I  hope  he  is  now  established  safely  at  the 
school  at  which  it  was  intended  he  should  go,  &  that  he  will  remain  there, 
as  well  as  profit  by  the  instruction  he  will  receive,  until  you  may  think 
proper  to  remove  him  to  some  other  institution,  or  to  get  him  in  business 
of  some  kind  or  profession,  whenever  he  is  prepared  for  it — 

I  was  very  much  gratified  at  the  receipt  of  the  extract  of  John  letter 
which  is  quite  an  interesting  one,  &  does  him  much  credit ;  &  is  the  best 
evidence  that  he  could  offer  of  his  determination  to  succeed  in  the  pro 
fession  he  has  adopted  ;  there  is  in  it  nothing  like  complaining  as  to  the 
restraints  he  is  placed  under,  or  the  hardships  of  the  duties  assigned  him  ; 
I  hope  he  will  not  neglect  his  studies,  but  will  devote  every  spare  moment 
from  his  official  duties  to  the  acquiring  scientific  information,  as  well  as  the 
knowledge  of  some  of  the  languages  which  will  be  beneficial  to  him  in 
the  way  of  his  profession.  There  is  nothing  more  important  to  insure  a 
young  man  a  high  standing  either  in  the  army  or  navy  than  literary 
attainments,  &  a  taste  for  study  if  he  has  books  &c  will  be  a  source  of 
amusement  as  well  as  occupation  which  will  prevent  his  time  by  resorting 
to  them  from  hanging  heavy  on  his  hands,  &  from  resorting  to  certain 
means  to  kill  time  which  so  frequently  results  in  the-  destruction  of  so 
many  young  men  in  both  arms  of  the  public  service.  I  have  been  thus 
tedious  in  dwelling  on  Johns  letter  as  I  take  the  deepest  interest  in  all 
that  concerns  him.  I  consider  his  outfit  rather  a  costly  affair,  &  think 
he  should  try  to  live  on  his  means  or  pay ;  economy  is  a  virtue  so  far  as 
it  respects  ones  living  on  their  means  or  income — 

138 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Anns  time  must  have  passed  &  will  continue  to  do  so  at  Pascagoula 
anything  but  pleasantly,  on  ace'  of  your  position  &  the  absence  of  the 
boys,  especially  so  until  she  has  heard  of  Robs  safe  arrival  at  Louisville. 
I  hope  she  will  be  able  to  join  you  by  the  last  of  the  present  month  with 
out  running  any  risk  from  disease  of  any  kind  ;  or  if  healthy  at  B.  Rouge 
they  might  all  return  there  by  the  2Oth  ins1  by  embarking  at  Carrilton  ;  I 
know  they  will  be  heartily  tired  of  the  pass  by  that  time  &  anxious  to 
get  away — 

On  the  subject  of  my  letters  in  reply  to  those  of  a  few  of  those  I 
receive  by  every  mail  I  have  been  pretty  guard  in  my  reply  to  them, 
alth°  I  did  not  expect  they  would  have  been  published,  as  no  permission 
was  given  to  that  effect  written  or  implied  but  in  one  instance,  had  I  have 
known  they  would  have  been  made  matter  of  newspaper  discussion,  I 
should  have  been  more  circumspect  in  my  language ;  however  as  I  before 
stated  I  do  not  care  a  flint  whether  I  am  elected  or  not,  &  expect  accord 
ing  to  custom  in  like  cases,  to  be  assailed  with  great  bitterness  up  to  the 
time  for  holding  the  election  if  kept  before  the  country  as  a  candidate, 
whether  I  write  letters  or  not.  I  will  however  be  more  guarded  in  what 
I  write  for  the  time  to  come,  &  whenever  I  deem  it  necessary  &  proper 
to  reply  to  letters,  I  intend  to  make  as  little  allusion  as  possible  to  politi 
cal  matters,  as  well  as  to  mark  the  same  private,  which  must  prevent  any 
evil  consequences  arising  from  the  same — 

The  death  of  S.  Wright1  will  very  possible  make  some  changes 
among  the  democratic  party;  had  he  lived  I  think  it  quite  likely  he  would 
have  been  their  candidate  for  the  presidency  at  the  coming  election  ;  & 
think  him  the  best  man  among  them ;  who  will  occupy  his  position  it  is 
impossible  to  say,  I  imagine  it  will  be  Cass  or  Buchanan. 

As  to  your  remarks  about  Dicks  going  through  New  Orleans  with 
out  calling  at  the  Barracks,  do  not  understand  me  as  supposing  that  you 
were  in  the  least  put  out  by  his  failing  to  do  what  he  ought  to  have  done ; 
but  it  is  to  me  matter  of  vexation  to  me  he  should  have  evinced  such 
marked  indifference  towards  those  so  nearly  connected  with  him,  but  from 


ras  admitted 
ir  years.     He  served  on< 
holding  the  position  ti 

:  was  elected  to  tne  Federal  senate.      In  1845  and  1846  he  was  governor  of  New  York.      He 

is  an  able  and  honest  man  and  an  ardent  advocate  of  the  principles  of  the  democratic  party. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

whom  he  had  received  so  many  acts  of  kindness.  I  recd  a  letter  from 
Betty  dated  the  ioth  of  Sepr  saying  they  were  all  quite  well,  &  that  Mr 
Conrad  left  with  his  two  daughters  for  B.  Rouge,  &  had  invited  them  all 
to  return  with  him,  &  remain  at  his  house  until  all  apprehension  was  over 
in  the  town  &  in  the  Barracks  which  they  all  declined  as  a  matter  of  of 
cors  alth°  I  duly  appreciate  his  kind  invitation — 

We  have  just  received  or  rather  receved  a  few  days  since  across  the 
country  information  that  after  the  commissioners  had  failed  to  settle  the 
difficulties  existing  between  the  two  countries  who  were  appointed  by 
Gen1  Santa  Anna  to  Mr  Trist  by  negotiation,  the  armistice  was  broken  off, 
on  the  6th  ult°  &  hostilities  immediately  commenced,  &  after  some  more 
hard  fighting  Gen1  Scott  entered  the  City  of  Mexico  on  the  14th  Santa 
Anna  having  fled  with  the  remnant  of  his  army;  but  what  place  he 
retreated  to  we  have  not  heard ;  nor  have  we  learned  any  particulars 
touching  the  same.  I  was  pleased  to  hear  that  Gen1  Smith  &  Co1  Riley 
distinguished  themselves  in  the  battles  of  the  19th  2oth  of  Augc  &  no 
doubt  done  so  likewise  in  the  attack,  which  resulted  in  taking  the  city.  I 
think  Majr  Sewel  ought  to  be  perfectly  satisfied  as  well  as  Majr  Raines,  & 
all  others  who  volunteered  to  leave  the  field,  as  those  two  gentlemen 
retired.  I  do  not  recollect  that  Majr  Hawkins  ever  made  any  report ; 
if  he  did  it  was  done  such  a  way  that  no  one  could  make  anything  out  of 
it ;  since  the  receipt  of  your  letter  I  mentioned  the  subject  to  Majr  Bliss, 
who  recollects  nothing  about  Hawkins  report  nor  does  he  believe  he  ever 
made  one  ;  &  I  well  recollect  I  was  very  much  at  a  loss  for  want  of  some 
data  to  base  my  recommendations  on  for  Brevets  for  services  at  fort  Brown ; 
Hawkins  was  not  recommended  by  me  for  promotion  of  that  kind  ;  S.  & 
Jouett  may  console  each  other  for  their  disappointments  in  that  way  ;  they 
both  have  got  as  much  as  they  were  entitled  to  ;  at  any  rate  I  shall  give 
myself  no  concern  in  the  matter — 

Before  this  you  must  have  all  the  particulars  connected  with  the 
taking  the  City  of  Mexico,  as  we  get  all  our  official  news  from  that  quar 
ter  by  the  way  of  N.  Orleans —  In  consequence  of  taking  the  capital, 
which  from  all  we  can  learn  here,  is  not  likely  to  bring  about  a  peace,  I 
have  applies  by  the  mail  which  leaves  with  this,  for  permission  to  leave 
the  country  ;  &  under  the  expectation  of  its  being  granted,  shall  transfer 
my  head  quarters  to  Matamoros  early  next  month,  &  yet  hope  to  join 

140 


LETTERS       OF      Z A C H A R T       TAYLOR 

my  family  by  the  first  of  Decr  or  soon  after —  I  regret  your  letters  to 
John  by  being  sent  to  Lock  Port  will  fail  to  reach  him  before  he  sails  for 
the  Pacific  as  it  will  be  a  long  time  before  he  will  here  from  home.  It  is 
possible  yet  something  may  turn  up  to  prevent  my  returning  to  the  U. 
States  at  the  time  calculated  on,  but  hope  not ;  but  I  will  do  so  the 
moment  I  can  leave  with  propriety— 

Jouett  you  say  is  engineering  to  go  up  to  Louisville  with  the  Q^  M. 
dep'  to  bring  down  his  family  on  a  public  steam  Boat ;  I  hope  the  Qr  M. 
there  will  not  give  into  any  such  silly  arrangement ;  I  could  wish  he  & 
his  family  could  be  assigned  to  some  other  pleasant  station  while  you  & 
your  family  are  at  the  city.  But  I  hope  you  will  as  well  as  Ann  act  with 
great  circumspection  towards  him,  &  his  while  you  have  to  be  associated 
with  them,  so  far  as  to  be  at  all  times  polite  without  being  intimate.  We 
can  however  talk  those  matters  over  as  well  as  many  others  should  we  ever 
have  the  opportunity  of  again  meeting  which  I  hope  will  be  the  case 
before  a  great  while,  at  our  leisure.  My  love  to  Ann  &  the  girls  when 
you  write  them  &  wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  I 
remain 

Truly  Your 
Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR — 
SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

N.  Orleans 

Barracks 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

October  19th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Since  I  wrote  you  on  the  12th  or  13th  ins1  in  reply  to  yours  of  the 
1 8th  &  25th  ult°  we  have  had  no  arrivals  from  N.  Orleans,  the  28th  of  last 
month  being  our  latest  dates  from  that  place,  &  IIth  12th  since  any  arrival 
from  the  city,  which  seems  to  me  quite  a  long  time,  more  particularly 
during  the  prevailing  epidemic  as  I  have  so  much  to  apprehend  on  your 

141 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

account  who  is  constantly  in  contact  with  it,  as  well  as  that  of  Mrs  Taylor, 
Ann,  Betty  &  girls  who  may  come  over  before  it  is  entirely  safe  to  do  so  ; 
but  I  hope  they  will  not  attempt  it  while  there  is  the  remotest  danger  to 
be  apprehended  from  contageon  or  disease  of  any  kind  at  the  Barracks,  in 
the  city  or  at  B.  Rouge  ;  should  they  come  over,  &  the  epidemic  should 
make  its  appearance  contrary  to  expectation  &  it  is  healthy  at  B.  Rouge  I 
hope  Ann  &  the  girls  will  go  up  with  Mrs  T.  &  Betty  &  remain  with  them 
until  you  have  two  or  three  white  frosts,  sufficient  to  destroy  every  vestag 
of  the  epidemic,  which  has  prevailed  during  the  sumer  &  autumn  ;  which 
I  presume  has  pretty  much  subsided  by  this  time,  as  it  was  very  much  on 
the  decline  when  you  last  wrote;  &  I  presume  the  city  is  beginning  once 
more  to  fill  up  by  the  returning  inhabitants  as  well  as  strangers  ;  especially 
if  you  have  had  any  thing  like  frost  which  is  usually  the  case  about  this 
time  or  a  little  before.  If  so  I  hope  Mr8  Taylor  will  soon  be  safely 
located  at  B.  Rouge  &  Ann  &  the  two  girls  with  her,  or  with  you,  &  out 
of  danger  at  the  Barracks — 

I  have  not  heard  any  of  the  particulars  as  regards  Gen1  Scotts  taking 
possession  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  all  we  have  heard  relative  to  that  affair, 
is  that  he  was  in  quiet  possession  of  that  place,  &  the  Mexican  army  had 
dispersed  ;  &  I  presume  there  will  hardly  be  any  other  battle ;  that  Santa 
Anna  had  gone  no  one  knew  wher,  in  the  direction  the  Pacific,  &  it  was 
supposed  he  would  leave  the  country  ;  this  is  Mexican  news,  &  Mexican 
conjecture.  I  make  no  doubt  however  you  have  ere  this,  had  all  the  par 
ticulars,  connected  with  that  affair,  as  we  get  everything  of  importance 
from  that  portion  of  the  army  which  can  be  relied  on,  by  the  way  of  N. 
Orleans  ;  I  presume  a  treaty  of  some  kind  or  other  will  grow  out  of  our 
taking  the  city,  &  laying  it  under  contribution,  which  the  Mexicans  say 
has  been  done ;  &  should  we  acquire  any  considerable  quantity  of  terri 
tory,  it  will  produce  great  strife  in  the  Senate,  whenever  such  a  treaty  is 
laid  before  that  body  for  their  action  ;  the  Wilmot  proviso  will  shake  that 
body  to  its  center,  &  how  it  is  all  to  end,  time  must  determine  ;  but  I 
hope  some  compromise  will  be  entered  into  between  the  two  parties 
slavery  &  anti  slavery  which  will  have  the  effect  of  allaying  violent  pas 
sions  on  both  sides  which  will  have  the  effect  of  perpetuating  instead  of 
wrecking  or  shortening  the  Union — 

Judging  from  some  of  the  newspapers  received  here  by  the  last  mail, 

142 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

in  addition  to  a  private  letter  addressed  to  me  by  a  prominent  whig,  evi 
dently  to  prepare  me  for  such  an  event  &  intimating  that  it  would  be 
expected  that  I  would  acquiesce  in  the  same  should  it  be  done,  to  bring 
Mr  Clay  again  before  the  country  as  a  candidat  for  the  presidency;  in 
which  I  observe  some  of  his  bitterest  defamers  at  the  last  election,  was 
lending  their  aid  to  bring  about  such  an  event ;  their  object  being  to 
divide  &  sow  dissentions  among  the  whig  party,  which  if  they  can  succeed 
in  doing,  will  insure  the  election  of  one  of  their  own  way  of  thinking ; 
how  far  Mr  Clay  has  or  will  countenance  such  a  movement,  I  am  unable 
to  say,  &  am  not  so  certain  but  what  he  has  given  it  his  countenance,  if 
not  his  sanction  ;  for  contrary  to  his  usual  bold  &  frank  action  in  all  such 
matters,  he  has  been  unusually  reserved  on  this  subject,  which  satisfies  me 
he  is  holding  or  keeping  aloof  so  as  to  be  able  to  take  advantage  of  cir 
cumstances  ;  evidently  still  desiring  the  office ;  &  it  seems  to  me  more 
anxious  for  office  than  for  the  interest  of  the  country,  or  the  success  of 
the  whig  party ;  I  have  not  answered  letter  referred  to,  or  others  I  have 
received  from  various  individuals  in  regard  to  this  matter,  nor  shall  I  do 
so  ;  for  while  it  is  to  me  a  matter  of  perfect  indifference  whether  I  am 
even  elected  or  not,  I  do  not  intend  any  party  shall  use  me  as  a  conve 
nience  ;  if  dropped  I  intend  to  stand  a  loof,  &  let  whigs  &  Democrats 
manage  this  matter  in  their  own  way —  I  understand  the  editors  of  the 
National  Intelligencers  have  thrown  out  feelers  in  one  of  their  late  num 
bers  in  regard  to  the  movement  in  favor  of  Mr  Clay.  Depend  on  it  there 
will  be  great  changes  in  the  complexion  of  political  affairs  between  now 
&  the  end  of  the  next  session  of  congress ;  the  whigs  as  a  party  between 
ourselves,  I  look  upon  as  doomed ;  the  democrats  greatly  out  maneuver 
ing  them—  I  am  gratified  I  took  the  position  I  did,  which  was  not  to 
be  the  exclusive  candidate  of  any  party;  &  if  I  am  elected  at  all,  it  will 
be  by  a  union  of  a  portion  of  whigs,  Democrats  &  native  votes —  At 
any  rate  I  occupy  a  position  &  shall  continue  to  do  so  I  hope,  that  if  not 
elected,  I  shall  neither  be  mortified  or  disappointed —  My  love  to  Ann 
&  the  children  if  with  you,  or  when  you  write  or  see  them,  as  well  as  best 
wishes  to  the  boys  for  their  success  &  prosperity  when  you  write  them, 
&  wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  prosperity  I  remain  truly  & 
sincerely  your  friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 

H3 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

P.  S.  I  still  contemplate  leaving  leaving  here  on  the  8th  of  the  com 
ing  month  for  Matamoros  to  await  there  the  action  of  the  depc  on  my 
application  for  a  leave ;  which  I  hope  to  hear  from  by  the  2Oth 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD 

N  Orleans  Barracks 

N  Orleans 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

October  2yth  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  highly  esteemed  letter  of  the  2d  ins'  accompanied  by  several 
newspapers  and  many  slips  cut  from  others,  all  containing  matters  of  deep 
interest,  has  just  reached  me,  alth°  it  is  at  long  intervals  between  their 
doing  so,  I  presume  most  of  your  letters  have  found  their  way  to  me,  as 
I  recollect  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  several  referred  to ;  I  have  at  any 
rate  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  all  which  have  reached  me,  alth°  some  of 
them  may  not  have  found  their  way  to  the  Barracks — 

Mr  Kilbourn  had  a  very  long  passage  I  understand  by  the  news 
papers  which  noticed  his  arrival  in  N.  Orleans,  between  the  Brazos  &  the 
city,  &  very  likely  left  immediately  as  you  suppose,  for  S1  Louis  if  he 
found  a  boat  ready  to  start  for  that  place,  which  I  suppose  prevented  his 
calling  as  he  had  no  time  to  lose,  only  having  a  leave  for  sity  days — 

I  was  truly  gratified  to  learn  through  Majr  or  Cap1  Monroe,  that  they 
were  all  well  at  Pascagoula  a  few  days  before  you  saw  him,  which  I  trust 
will  continue  to  be  the  case  ;  &  presume  they  have  left  the  Lake  by  or 
before  this  time,  &  hope  have  arrived  in  safety  at  N.  Orleans  &  B. 
Rouge ;  I  was  likewis  greatly  pleased  to  know  your  own  health  continued 
good,  &  if  it  has  continued  so  up  to  the  present  time,  which  I  flatter 
myself  is  the  case,  &  the  weather  has  been  as  cold  there  at  the  barracks, 
as  it  has  been  here  for  the  last  few  days,  it  must  have  put  an  end  to  every 
thing  like  contageon  there  &  in  the  city,  if  so  you  will  have  as  much 
health  where  you  are  until  the  latter  part  of  the  next  summer  &  autumn 
as  in  any  portion  of  the  Union.  I  was  also  much  pleased  to  know  you 

144 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

had  heard  from  the  boys,  who  were  both  well ;  Joh  ere  this  must  be  well 
on  his  way  to  Rio;  it  will  be  some  time  before  you  again  get  a  letter  from 
him,  or  he  one  from  home;  he  has  my  best  wishes  for  his  health,  success 
&  prosperity  whereever  the  winds  may  carry  him  ;  if  he  succeeds  in 
returning  in  health  &  without  accident  of  any  kind,  in  good  repute  with 
his  officers,  &  untainted  in  morals,  he  may  be  consider  on  the  high  road 
to  distinction  ;  let  him  avoid  dissipation  of  every  kind,  &  lose  no  oppor 
tunity  of  improving  his  mind  by  study,  as  well  as  keeping  clear  of  forming 
a  matrimonial  connection,  until  he  gets  some  rank,  &  he  cannot  fail  to  do 
well ;  a  midshipman  with  a  wife  is  rather  a  bar  to  his  advancement,  &  is 
too  great  weight  for  him  to  get  on  with  comfortably  ;  he  should  keep  out 
of  debt  &  try  to  live  on  his  pay.  Rob  I  hope  has  settled  down  to  his 
books  with  Mr  Allen  &  I  trust  he  is  getting  on  as  well  as  could  be 
expected.  Dick  I  hope  will  join  his  mother  next  month  nearly  if  not 
quite  restored  to  health  ;  &  will  I  hope  be  ready  &  anxious  to  commence 
the  study  of  a  profession  or  enter  into  business  of  some  kind  ;  he  has 
already  been  idle  too  long — 

I  have  this  moment  recd  a  letter  from  Co1  Davis  saying  he  had  just, 
or  was  fast  recovering  from  a  severe  attack  of  sickness,  which  had  very 
much  effected  his  eyes,  which  I  deeply  regretted  to  hear  ;  but  he  said 
nothing  about  his  wounded  foot ;  he  has  accepted  the  appointment  of 
Senator,  which  is  only  temporary  ;  the  election  comes  on  for  four  years 
to  complete  the  late  Senator  Spraights  term  in  March  next,  in  Jackson  the 
capitol  of  the  state;  I  think  there  is  but  little  doubt  as  to  his  election ;  he 
appears  however  to  be  indifferent  about  it — 

I  have  fixed  on  the  8th  of  Novr  for  leaving  here  for  Matamoros,  & 
expect  to  reach  there  by  the  i8th  where  I  intend  to  await  the  action  of  the 
dep1  on  my  application  for  permission  to  leave  the  country  ;  &  if  acted  on 
immediately  I  expect  to  hear  the  result  from  the  2oth  to  the  25th  &  if 
favorable  I  will  sail  on  the  first  good  vessel  that  leaves  the  Brazos  for  N. 
Orleans,  &  hope  to  reach  that  place  early  in  December,  if  not  by  the  firs, 
so  that  you  need  not  write  me  after  the  ioth  of  the  next  month  ;  yet  the 
leave  may  not  be  given,  &  we  should  be  prepared  for  the  worst ;  at  any 
rate  I  will  be  so — 

I  mentioned  in  my  last  letter  that  we  had  heard  across  the  country 
from  Mexicans,  in  a  way  that  could  be  relied  on,  that  the  army  under 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

Gen1  Scott  had  taken,  &  was  in  quiet  possession  of  the  City  of  Mexico, 
after  considerable  loss;  but  without  giving  particulars  ;  the  last  mail 
brought  us  an  accc  of  the  killed  from  the  9th  to  the  1 8th  of  Septr  when  the 
righting  ceased,  from  several  sources,  but  nothing  official ;  from  which  it 
appears  there  was  considerable  loss  on  our  side;  the  5th  Infy  seems  to 
have  suffered  more  than  any  other  corps,  especially  in  officers;  whether 
the  taking  the  capital  will  result  in  peace,  time  must  determine ;  I  inter 
into  no  speculations  on  the  subject ;  but  shall  be  somewhat  disappointed 
if  there  is  not  considerable  discussion  about  Gen1  Scotts  armistice,  entered 
into  with  Santa  Anna,  which  has  resulted  on  our  side  in  the  loss  of  many 
valuable  lives  ;  the  papers  favorable  to  Gen1  S.  say  the  propositions  for 
said  armistice  came  from  the  enemy,  but  unfortunately  the  written  docu 
ments  proves  the  contrary  ;  it  may  be  saddled  on  Mr  Trist ;  some  body 
must  take  the  responsibility,  or  rather  it  will  be  thrown  on  the  Gen1  or 
the  minister  will  have  to  shoulder  it,  or  to  divide  it  between  them ;  Santa 
Anna  will  have  I  am  satisfied  nothing  to  do  with  it — 

There  is  no  danger  on  this  line  the  force  here  is  sufficient  to  sustain 
itself  while  acting  on  the  defensive,  in  fact  I  do  not  believe  there  will  be 
any  more  righting  except  with  small  parties  ;  from  what  I  can  learn  from 
well  informed  Mexicans,  their  army  has  pretty  much  disbanded — 

Gen1  Pierces1  letter  is  a  very  contemptable  afair,  not  worth  the  time 
or  trouble  it  takes  to  read  it,  it  is  worthy  of  the  author,  but  unworthy  of 
an  ex  Senator  of  the  U.  States ;  I  expect  to  see  many  such  effusions  from 
that  army,  &  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  the  Gen1  in  chief  was  to  base 
his  claims  to  the  presidency  on  ace*  of  his  achievements  in  taking  the  City 
of  Mexico ;  he  &  his  creatures  will  think  it  presumption  for  any  one  to 
dare  to  oppose  him —  Had  not  the  battle  of  Buena  been  fought  &  won 
there  is  great  doubts  whether  he  Gen1  Pierce  would  have  performed  such 


I  Meaning  Franklin  Pierce,  subsequently  the  fourteenth  president  of  the  United  States.  He  was  born  in  Hillsborough,  N. 
H.,  November  2j,  1804,  and  died  at  Concord,  in  that  state,  October  8,  1869.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1827,  was  an  ardent 
democrat,  took  an  active  part  in  politics,  served  in  the  legislature  of  his  state  and  in  the  lower  house  of  congress,  and  in  1837  was 
elected  to  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  of  which  he  was  the  youngest  member.  He  resigned  in  1842  with  the  intention  of 
withdrawing  permanently  from  public  life.  In  1845  he  declined  an  appointment  to  the  senate,  a  nomination  to  the  governorship, 
and  an  appointment  to  the  office  of  attorney-general  of  the  United  States.  His  military  ardor  was  kindled  by  the  outbreak  of  the 
war  with  Mexico  and  on  February  16,  1847,  he  became  a  colonel  of  infantry.  On  the  jd  of  the  following  March  he  received 
from  President  Polk  the  commission  of  a  brigadier-general  of  volunteers.  He  started  at  once  for  the  seat  of  war,  arriving  at  Vera 
Cruz  in  June,  and  participated  in  several  battles  that  preceded  the  capture  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  displaying  a  personal  bravery 
that  won  him  high  credit.  He  was  not,  however,  a  trained  and  educated  soldier.  In  1848  General  Taylor  was  elected  to  the 
presidency  as  a  whig.  In  1852  Franklin  Pierce  was  elected  as  a  democrat.  His  administration  was  a  stormy  one,  owing  to  the 
constant  agitation  of  the  slavery  question,  and  he  failed  to  secure  a  renomination  in  the  national  democratic  convention  of  1856. 
After  the  expiration  of  his  presidential  term  Mr.  Pierce  traveled  abroad  for  three  years,  then  returned  to  Concord  and  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  life  in  retirement. 


146 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

prodigies  of  valor,  which  he  has  shadowed  forth  on  the  occasioned  alluded 
to.  I  regret  to  hear  more  on  his  wifes  accc  than  his  own,  that  Mr  C.  had 
got  in  the  predicament  you  state,  between  ourselves  it  is  all  wrong,  &  if 
some  members  of  congress  get  hold  of  it,  it  will  hardly  redound  to  his  or 
the  credit  of  the  army  ;  but  it  is  none  but  it  is  no  concern  of  ours,  &  let 
him  settle  it  the  best  way  he  can  ;  prudence  is  a  great  virtue  ;  the  lucre  of 
gain  is  a  terable  business,  &  has  caused  the  downfall  of  millions.  He 
ought  to  be  removed  from  N.  Orleans —  I  was  quite  pleased  to  hear 
you  had  been  so  successful  the  cases  of  those  attacked  with  the  prevail 
ing  epidemic  ;  &  thank  you  for  the  description  in  treating  it ;  &  hope  the 
change  of  weather  from  hot  to  cold  has  produced  no  considerable  change 
for  the  worse — 

Some  of  the  papers  seem  to  think  that  the  excitement  in  my  favor 
as  regards  the  presidency,  is  on  the  decline,  which  may  be  so,  &  if  so 
gives  me  no  concern;  the  great  arrangements  or  preparation  for  that  bat 
tle  will  be  fought  in  my  opinion  between  now  &  the  end  of  the  next 
session  of  congress  ;  I  will  not  be  surprised  if  Mr  Calhoun  &  his  friends  take 
such  a  course  as  will  enduce  the  non  slave  holding  states  to  unite  on  from 
said  states  for  the  presidency,  if. so,  it  settles  the  question,  they  having  the 
majority  ;  I  have  for  some  time  doubted  whether  we  would  again  have  a 
chief  magistrate  for  many  years  to  come  from  a  slave  state  much  less  a 
slave  holder — 

Nothing  of  interest  has  taken  place  on  this  line  since  I  last  wrote 
you 

My  love  to  Ann  &  the  girls  &  wishing  you  &  yours  continued 
health  &  prosperity,  I  remain  truly  & 

Sincerely 

Your  Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
D"  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

P.  S.  I  have  not  written  to  Mr8  Taylor  [or]  Betty  by  this  mail — 
I  write  in  the  night,  you  must  therefore  overlook  blunders. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


Camp  near  Monterey  Mexico 

November  2d  1847 
My  dear  Dr 

I  wrote  you  by  the  last  mail  which  left  here  a  week  since,  in  reply  to 
your  several  letters  of  the  jd  &  6th  ult°  as  well  as  I  recollect  the  dates 
which  I  hope  will  reach  you  in  safety  &  in  due  season  since  when  we  have 
had  no  mail  from  the  U.  States,  their  arrival  having  been  quite  uncertain 
&  far  between  for  some  time  past.  I  am  now  busily  preparing  to  leave 
for  Matamoros  &  expect  to  do  so  on  the  8th  ins1  which  place  I  hope  to 
reach  should  nothing  occur  to  prevent  it,  by  the  i8th  or  2Oth  where  I 
intend  remaining  until  I  hear  the  result  of  my  application  made  some  four 
weeks  since  to  the  proper  department  in  Washington  for  permission  to 
leave  the  country,  which  if  acted  on  promtly  I  ought  at  any  to  receive  an 
answer  by  the  25th  &  if  favorable,  I  will  turn  over  the  command  of  this 
line  to  Gen1  Wool,  who  is  now  here,  &  will  accompany  me  to  Camargo, 
&  perhaps  to  Brazos,  &  after  doing  so  will  leave  there  in  the  first  good 
vessel  for  N.  Orleans,  where  I  hope  to  be  by  the  first  of  December  or 
soon  after—  A  report  has  reached  here  that  President  Polk  was  dead, 
which,  I  do  not  credit,  while  I  regret  to  hear  of  the  death  of  any  one,  I 
would  as  soon  have  heard  of  his  death  if  true,  as  that  of  any  other  indi 
vidual  in  the  whole  Union,  evun  should  it  have  the  effect  of  producing 
great  changes  in  measures  as  well  as  men,  so  far  as  the  management  of 
national  affairs  are  concerned ;  as  they  may  be  bettered  &  cannot  possibly 
be  worsted ;  but  it  may  have  the  effect  of  producing  some  chang  &  con 
fusion  at  Washington,  which  may  have  the  effect  of  causing  my  application 
to  be  laid  over  for  a  short  time  ;  but  whether  he  is  dead  or  alive,  I  appre 
hend  there  will  be  no  difficulty  about  said  leave,  other  than  delay  for  want 
of  attention,  as  those  in  power  of  said  party  be  they  whom  they  may,  will 
be  very  much  pleased  to  get  me  out  of  Mexico,  if  not  out  of  the  world — 

We  have  heard  nothing  as  yet  directly  from  Gen1  Scott  since  he  took 
possession  of  the  City  of  Mexico ;  we  learn  indirectly  from  Mexicans,  he 
is  in  quiet  possession  of  the  same,  &  that  Santa  Anna  had  been  removed 
from  the  command  of  the  Mexican  army,  which  had  been  dispersed,  or 
as  they  express  it,  had  been  thrown  out  of  the  combat ;  whether  there  is 
anything  like  a  peace  even  in  prospect,  I  am  unable  to  say ;  the  best 

148 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

informed  Mexicans  in  this  section  of  the  country,  with  whom  I  have  con 
versed,  say  there  will  be  no  peace ;  that  eleven  of  the  states  of  Mexico 
had  united  to  carry  on  the  war  in  the  best  way  they  could;  if  so  &  Mr 
Trist  negotiates  a  treaty  it  will  be  on  the  Schemerhorn  plan,  with  an  irre 
sponsible  faction  or  party — 

I  sincerely  hope  the  dreadful  fever  has  passed  away  &  that  the  city  & 
vicinity  has  become  once  more  healthy,  &  has  left  you  in  the  enjoyment  of 
the  same  health  as  when  you  last  wrote  ;  when  I  can  know  this  is  the  case, 
I  will  be  greatly  relieved  on  your  account— 

I  also  flatter  myself  that  Mrs  Taylor  Ann  &c  have  been  able  to  return 
home  without  experiencing  any  inconvenience  from  doing,  as  they  must  by 
the  time  they  left  Pascagoula  been  heartily  tired  of  the  place  if  not  before — 

The  robbers  are  still  infesting  the  road  between  this  &  Rio  Grande ; 
Lr  Campbell  coming  here  from  Cerralvo  with  20  men  of  the  2d  Dragoons 
&  a  few  Texan  Rangers  was  attacked  this  morning  about  fifteen  miles 
from  here  by  about  150  of  that  description  of  people,  &  after  a  very  sharp 
contest  he  was  barely  able  to  force  his  way  through  them,  with  the  loss  of 
four  men  killed  &  several  wounded;  &  alth°  a  large  command  was  on  the 
ground  in  a  few  hours  after  the  attack  was  made  there  was  a  reenforce- 
ment  on  the  ground  of  100  Dragoons  yet  dispersing  through  a  country 
unknown  to  us  and  were  able  to  effect  their  escape,  or  to  keep  out  of  our 
way —  This  is  the  description  of  warfare  which  will  be  carried  on  for  the 
time  to  come  in  Mexico — 

My  love  to  Ann  &  the  girls  as  well  as  kindest  regards  to  the  boys 
when  you  write  them,  &  wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  &  pros 
perity  I  remain 

Truly  &  Sincerely 

Your  Friend 
SURGEON  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  A.    N.  Orleans 
Barracks 

N.  Orleans 

I  had  but  a  few  moments  to  write  you,  as  I  waited  till  the  last  moment 
hoping  a  mail  would  arrive,  but  have  done  so  to  no  purpose. 

Z.  T. 

149 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


On  board  the  Steam  Boat  Co1  Cross 

On  the  Rio  Grande  Novr  17th  1847 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  very  welcome  &  highly  interesting  letters  of  the  14th  24th  & 
28th  ult°  were  received  with  several  newspapers  &  slips  cut  from  others  on 
my  [way]  from  Monterey  to  Camargo,  by  the  hands  of  Mr  Van  Allen, 
who  was  so  good  as  to  call  at  the  Barracks  where  he  saw  you  Mrs  Taylor, 
Ann  Betty  &  the  girls  who  had  just  returned  from  Pascagoula,  all  looking 
to  be  in  excellent  health— 

I  was  more  than  gratified  on  your  account  to  learn  that  the  dreadful 
scourge  which  had  carried  off  so  many  persons  in  N.  Orleans  &  vicinity, 
had  ceased  to  be  contageous,  &  I  hope  as  the  weather  was  quite  cool  when 
Co1  V.  left,  that  the  whole  country  has  been  restored  to  its  usual  state  of 
health— 

I  was  very  much  pleased  to  learn  that  Mr8  T.  &  family  had  got 
back  to  the  Barracks  all  well,  &  without  meeting  with  accident  of  any  kind 
while  at  the  Pass,  or  in  going  or  returning,  &  hope  the  same  good  fortune 
will  attend  them  until  they  reach  their  place  of  residence.  Betty  writes 
it  had  been  quite  sickly  at  B.  Rouge  &  that  Mr5  Cross  had  lost  one  of 
her  daughters  but  as  I  observe  from  one  of  the  N.  Orleans  papers  there 
had  been  a  frost  at  that  place,  I  hope  they  Mrs  &  Betty  as  well  as  Ann  & 
the  girls  can  return  without  running  any  risk.  Should  there  be  the  slight 
est  danger  in  Anns  remaining  at  the  Barracks,  I  hope  she  &  the  girls  will 
go  up  with  Mr3  Taylor  &  Betty  to  B.  Rouge  &  remain  with  them,  until 
they  can  join  you  in  perfect  safety;  &  should  there  be  a  good  school  at 
B.  Rouge,  I  hope  the  girls  will  remain  with  their  grand  mother  &  be  put 
to  the  same.  Betty  says  they  had  received  a  very  pressing  invitation  from 
Mr  &  Mr8  Taylor  to  make  them  a  visit  at  Point  Coupee  &  spend  some 
time  with  them  before  they  went  to  house  keeping ;  but  this  I  expect 
Mr8  Taylor  will  hardly  do,  as  she  must  be  very  anxious  to  return,  partic 
ularly  as  Majr  Hooe  had  taken  the  liberty  of  occupying  the  quarters  she 
had  been  living  in,  &  where  was  left  the  whole  of  her  furniture,  as  I  am 
satisfied  she  will  find  everything  in  great  confusion,  if  she  finds  many 
things  at  all ;  I  consider  such  a  procedure  on  the  part  of  the  Majr  highly 
reprehensible — 

150 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TATLOR 

I  left  my  encampment  near  Monterey  on  the  8th  ins'  &  on  the 
evening  of  the  same  day  met  Majr  Van  Allen  with  despatches  from 
Washington  ;  which  were  copies  of  instructions  to  Gen1  Scott,  to  sustain 
his  army  as  far  as  he  could  do  so,  by  levying  contributions  on  the  enemy, 
&  that  I  was  to  do  the  same  on  this  line  ;  recalling  Mr  Trist,  &  directing 
that  there  should  be  no  more  attempts  at  negotiation  ;  that  if  the  Mexi 
can  government  was  disposed  to  negotiate  they  must  make  their  terms 
known  to  Gen1  Scott  or  their  wishes,  who  would  communicate  the  same  to 
the  president  of  the  U.  States  ;  but  was  not  to  stay  in  the  least  his  oper 
ations  against  them  ;  I  reached  Camargo  on  the  13th  &  left  on  there  on 
the  15th  for  Matamoros,  which  place  I  expect  to  reach  this  evening  or 
to-morrow  morning,  &  where  I  shall  await  the  result  of  my  application  to 
leave  the  country,  which  I  hope  to  do  by  the  2oth  or  25th  at  farthest;  I 
shall  not  therefore  write  you  again,  until  I  hear  from  Washington  on  the 
subject  of  my  leave,  &  not  then  if  favorable,  as  I  will  in  that  case  leave 
Brasos  in  the  first  good  vessel  for  N.  Orleans,  when  we  will  on  my  arrival 
discuss  many  subjects  of  interest  which  I  will  defer  until  then,  particularly 
as  regards  political  matters — 

I  observe  there  has  been  most  extraordinary  failures  in  the  great  com 
mercial  houses  in  England  which  has  had  the  effect  greatly  to  reduce  the 
price  of  cotton  in  New  Orleans,  as  well  as  bread  stuffs,  &  will  no  doubt 
extend  to  many  other  products,  &  may  lead  to  mercantile  embarrassments 
to  some  extent ;  at  any  rate  the  country  can  hardly  expect  to  be  as  pros 
perous  the  coming  year,  as  it  was  the  last,  cotton  I  observe  has  fallen  some 
three  cents  since  the  opening  of  the  market,  which  is  a  great  falling  off, 
leaving  little  or  no  profit  to  the  grower,  particularly  to  those  who  like 
myself  will  only  make  but  half  a  crop — 

I  was  somewhat  surprised  that  Majr  J.  could  have  continued  alive 
at  the  Barracks  during  the  summer,  with  the  yellow  fever  so  near  him,  I  am 
quite  surprised  he  was  not  carried  off  from  fright.  Betty  writes  me  he 
had  not  called  to  see  her  or  mother  ;  his  not  doing  so  gives  me  not  the 
slightest  concern  &  I  hope  he  will  not  attempt  to  do  so,  for  the  time  to 
come  ;  I  presume  his  family  has  joined  ere  this  even  if  he  could  not  get 
charge  of  a  Steam  Boat  to  bring  them  down  from  Louisville,  as  I  observe 
the  Ohio  has  been  in  fine  order  for  navigation  ;  the  arrival  of  the  madam 
will  add  nothing  to  the  society  of  the  Barracks  as  far  as  you  &  yours  are 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

concerned  ;  but  I  truly  hope  you,  Ann  &  the  girls  will  give  him  &  his 
family  a  wide  berth,  &  besides  having  as  little  to  do  with  them  as  possi 
ble,  never  to  speak  of  them,  &  act  as  if  there  was  no  such  people  in 
existance — 

Majr  &  Mr3  Hunter  is  with  me  on  their  way  to  Matamoros,  where 
the  Majr  will  be  stationed — 

I  sincerely  hope  Dick  will  join  his  mother  in  the  course  of  the  pres 
ent  month  if  he  has  not  already  done  so,  &  if  his  health  is  not  entirely 
restored,  it  is  in  a  fair  way  to  become  so,  at  any  rate  sufficiently  so  as  to 
enable  him  to  commence  the  study  of  some  profession,  or  to  enter  into 
business  of  some  kind ;  he  has  been  idle  too  long  for  his  own  good,  or 
reputation  ;  if  we  can  do  no  better  I  want  him  to  go  to  the  plantation  & 
have  a  general  supervision  of  the  establishment,  until  he  understands  the 
operation  or  principles  of  planting,  when  I  will  set  him  up  in  that  way 
on  his  own  ace1 

Should  a  leave  be  refused  I  will  write  you  immediately  on  hearing — 
Give  my  love  to  Ann  &  the  girls  if  with  you,  or  if  absent  when  you  write 
them,  as  well  as  to  the  boys  &  wishing  you  &  yours  continued  health  & 
prosperity  I  remain  truly  &  sincerely 

Your  Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGEON  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army    N.  Orleans 
Barracks 

P.  S.  The  Boat  shakes  so  much  I  write  with  great  difficulty,  so 
much  so,  I  fear  you  will  be  hardly  able  to  read  it — 


Baton  Rouge 

February  i8th  1848 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  esteemed  letter  of  the  15th  ins1  accompanied  by  a  copy  of  one 
from   the  Honb1  Washington  Hunt1  member  of  congress  from  N.  York, 

I    Washington  Hunt  (1811-1867)  served  in  the  twenty-eighth,  twenty-ninth,  and  thirtieth  congresses  as  a  whig,  and  was  comp 
troller  of  New  York  state  in  1849  and  1850  and  governor  in  1851  and  1852. 


N 


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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

have  this  moment  reached  me,  for  which  you  have  my  best  thanks — 

While  no  one  can  possibly  hold  in  higher  estimation  than  I  do  the 
talents  &  character  both  public  &  private  of  Mr  Hunt,  as  well  as  many 
other  Whigs  in  &  out  of  Congress,  particularly  the  honb1  Truman  Smith1, 
&  however  I  may  dislike  to  differ  with  them  as  regards  defining  my  position 
as  a  candidate  for  the  presidency,  which  1  shall  regret  to  do,  I  must  again 
say  I  have  no  wish  to  occupy  that  high  station  ;  nor  am  I  a  candidate 
farther  than  the  people  have  or  may  think  proper  to  make  me  so  ;  nor 
can  I  change  the  position  I  have  taken,  which  is,  not  to  be  the  exclusive 
candidate  of  any  party  ;  for  if  I  occupy  the  White  House,  I  must  be 
untrammelled  &  unpledged,  so  as  to  be  the  president  of  the  nation,  & 
not  of  a  party  ;  making  the  interest  of  the  whole  country  my  only  object, 
within  the  prescribed  limits  of  the  constitution;  not  as  I  might  see  fit  to 
construe  that  instrument,  but  as  it  was  done  &  acted  on  by  our  first  presi 
dents  ;  whose  opinions  in  regard  to  the  same  I  would  adopt,  &  carry  out 
as  far  as  it  was  possible  to  do  so  ;  following  in  their  footsteps,  as  we  know 
they  were  wise,  prudent  &  patriotic — 

If  those  who  are  not  willing  to  trust  me  after  what  I  have  stated,  as 
to  what  would  be  my  course  if  elected,  which  have  been  published  over  & 
over  again  in  so  many  of  the  newspapers  of  the  day,  they  must  look  out 
for  one  who  will  give  such  pledges  as  they  may  require  &  if  elected  I  will 
not  complain — 

I  believe  the  course  the  Whigs  are  pursuing  in  regard  to  the  election 
in  question,  will  have  the  effect  of  fixing  on  the  country  the  present  party 
in  power,  until  there  is  nothing  left  of  the  constitution  but  the  name.  A 
Whig  national  convention  to  select  candidates  to  fill  the  two  highest  offices 
known  to  our  laws,  will  result  in  no  good,  but  will  aid  if  it  is  not  the 
cause  of  bringing  about  a  strict  party  vote  between  them,  &  their  oppo 
nents  ;  &  as  they  are  in  the  minority,  when  we  take  into  consideration  the 
immense  influx  of  foreigners  into  our  country,  who  are  carried  to  the  polls 
&  are  permitted  to  vote  immediately  on  their  arrival,  naturalized  or  not, 
nineteen  out  of  twenty  if  not  more,  vote  the  democratic  ticket,  the  result 
cannot  be  doubtful ;  besides  we  ought  to  know  whenever  the  community 
becomes  excited  on  such  matters,  the  love  of  party  with  many  without 


I     Truman  Smith  (1791-1884)  was  a  representative  in  congress  from  Connecticut  in  the  twenty-sixth,  twenty-seventh,  twenty- 
ninth,  and  thirtieth  congresses  and  served  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States  from  1849  to  1854.     He  was  a  whig  in  politics. 

'53 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

there  being  aware  of  it,  is  stronger  than  the  love  of  country;  whereas  had 
the  Whigs  gone  on  quietly  &  nominated  their  candidates  by  primary 
assemblies  &  state  legislatures,  without  imposing  restrictions  on  them,  & 
invited  all  to  join  them  irrespective  of  party,  who  were  for  saving  or  sus 
taining  the  constitution  in  its  purity,  they  must  have  succeed  in  overturn 
ing  the  present  dynasty;  &  I  hope  the  downward  tenden  of  our  national 
affairs  would  at  any  rate  for  a  time  at  least,  have  been  arrested — 

Should  I  be  nominated  by  a  Whig  or  Democratic  convention,  State 
or  National,  exclusively  on  party  grounds,  I  would  feel  bound  to  decline 
the  same  ;  but  should  either  or  both  think  proper  to  do  so,  leaving  me 
free  to  act  on  the  grounds  I  have  taken,  I  should  have  no  hesitation  in 

O  ' 

accepting;  this  however  I  do  not  expect — 

I  now  consider  myself  in  the  hands  of  the  people  who  can  dispose  of  me 
as  they  may  think  best;  let  them  &  those  who  brought  me  forward  for  the 
presidency  drop  me,  or  cast  their  votes  for  some  one  else  at  the  proper 
time  ;  which  they  ought  to  do,  if  a  more  available  candidate  can  be 
selected,  &  one  better  qualified  to  serve  the  country  ;  &  if  he  should  be 
elected,  I  shall  be  neither  disappointed  or  mortified  at  the  result ;  on  the 
contrary  if  he  is  honest,  truthful  &  patriotic,  qualities  unfortunately  for 
the  country,  not  always  to  be  met  with  in  those  filling  high  places,  I  shall 
be  more  than  satisfied — 

I  am  hoping  the  boy  Westley  will  subject  you  to  no  inconvenience 
and  that  his  disease,  palpitation  of  the  heart,  will  not  be  found  to 
be  incurable — 

I  regret  there  was  any  difficulty  about  the  horses,  at  the  same  time  I 
am  satisfied  Majr  Tompkins  or  the  Qr  Master  who  attended  to  this  mat 
ter  acted  correctly ;  &  I  am  pleased  with  the  course  you  have  pursued  in 
the  matter ;  the  difficulty  lay  or  grew  out  of  my  instructions  not  being 
attended  to  at  the  plantation — 

I  have  been  confined  to  the  house  for  the  last  four  weeks  with  some 
thing  like  rheumatism,  or  a  severe  pain  in  the  leg,  confined  exclusively  to 
the  muscles  ;  the  pain  not  being  always  accute,  but  occasionally  so  much  so 
as  to  prevent  me  from  putting  my  foot  to  the  floor,  &  barely  enough  so, 
to  keep  me  awake  during  the  greater  part  of  the  night ;  I  am  much  bet 
ter  but  far  from  being  entirely  recovered  ;  I  shall  however  leave  to-morrow 
for  Woodville,  &  expect  to  be  absent  from  here  about  a  week,  &  imme- 

154 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

diately  on  my  return  will  go  to  the  plantation  ;  if  well  enough  to  do  so — 
Mr  Garnett  the  aid  of  Gen1  Brook  got  here  day  before  yesterday,  & 
will  leave  by  the  first  Boat  for  N.  Orleans ;  he  seperated  from  the  Gen1 
at  Cumberland  ;  he  the  Gen1  going  by  Pittsburg,  he  continue  on  the  direct 
route  by  Wheeling ;  the  Gen1  he  says  may  be  looked  for  daily — 

Mrs  Taylor  is  improving  in  health,  Betty  is  quite  well  well,  Dick  is  at 
the  plantation,  &  was  in  good  health  when  last  heard  from — 

M"  Taylor  &  Betty  join  me  in  love  to  Ann  &  the  girls,  &  accept 
our  best  wishes  for  the  continued  health  &  prosperity  of  you  &  yours 
through  a  long  life —  Your 

Sincere  Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
D*  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army- 

I  have  no  objection  to  your  copying  so  much  of  my  letter  in  rela 
tion  to  the  presidency  in  reply  to  Mr  Hunts  as  regards  the  same,  &  for 
ward  it  to  him,  which  he  is  authorized  to  submit  to  any  of  his,  or  my 
friends,  but  not  for  publication  in  any  of  the  newspapers ;  as  I  do  not 
wish  to  have  any  concealments  on  this  subject — 

I  hope  you  hear  from  the  boys  &  that  they  are  getting  on  very  well, 
or  as  much  so  as  you  ought  to  calculate  on — 

Z.  T. 


Baton  Rouge 

Febx  28th  1848 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  esteemed  &  interesting  letter  of  the  25th  ins*  has  just  reached 
me  &  I  hardly  need  say  how  much  gratification  it  afforded  us  to  hear  you, 
Ann  &  the  girls  were  all  well,  &  when  last  heard  from  the  boys  were  in 
good  health,  &  getting  on  as  well  as  could  be  expected — 

I  returned  last  night  from  a  trip  to  Woodville  to  which  place  I  had 
determined  on  going  for  some  time  past  but  was  prevented  from  doing  so 
for  several  weeks  by  an  attack  of  neuralgic  affection  in  my  leg,  which  I 

155 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

mentioned  to  you  in  my  last  communication ;  alth°  not  entirely  recoverd 
I  left  home  last  Sunday  was  a  week,  &  alth°  the  weather  was  quite  unfa 
vorable,  I  succeeded  in  getting  through  with  the  undertaking  with  but 
little  inconvenience,  &  got  back  if  not  entirely  recovered  in  greatly 
improved  health  ;  at  any  rate  able  to  get  about  without  the  aid  of  a 
crutch  or  a  cane —  I  have  but  little  doubt  the  change  from  a  very  active, 
to  an  inactive  life,  may  in  some  measure  have  aided  in  bringing  on  the 
attack  from  which  I  experienced  so  much  inconvenience;  but  I  do  not 
believe  that  too  high  living  at  Baton  Rouge,  or  indulging  too  freely  in 
the  plain  diet  which  every  one  here  are  from  necessity  of  confining  them 
selves  to,  had  much  to  do  in  bringing  on  the  same;  however  I  trust  I  will 
escape  from  a  return  of  the  same,  or  any  similar  disease,  at  any  rate  for 
some  time  to  come — 

The  communication  referred  to  by  Mr  Hunt  addressed  to  me  & 
signed  by  several  members  of  Congress  wishing  me  to  define  more  clearly 
my  position  than  I  have  heretofore  done,  I  have  just  recd  by  Co1  Van  Allen 
the  gentleman  who  carried  despatches  to  me  from  the  war  dep*  just  as  I 
was  leaving  Mexico;  he  was  also  the  bearer  of  an  invitation  from  the 
Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  of  N.  York  through  Governor  Young 
to  visit  that  state,  which  as  a  matter  of  course  I  must  decline  ;  &  I  must 
in  a  great  measure  if  not  alltogather  decline  going  father  in  explaining  my 
views  on  political  matters  than  I  have  already  done ;  I  now  feel  perfectly 
satisfied  the  contest  for  the  presidency  will  sittle  down  so  far  as  the  office 
seekers  &  trading  politicians  are  concerned  of  both  the  great  parties  to  a 
strict  party  vote  ;  in  which  I  do  not  wish  to  be  concerned  ;  the  contest, 
should  an  independent  or  third  party  spring  up  between  now  &  the  first 
Monday  of  Novr  next  will  be  between  them  &  the  politicians ;  but 
whether  the  former  will  be  able  to  contend  successfully  with  the  latter  the 
result  must  determine  ;  I  much  fear  the  devotion  of  a  portion  of  the  Whigs 
would  rather  be  defeated  with  Mr  Clay  as  their  candidate  than  to  succeed 
with  any  one  else,  such  is  devotion  to  a  party  which  absorbs  every  other 
consideration;  but  if  the  present  party  in  power  is  saddled  on  the  country 
the  responsibility  will  be  with  Mr  Clay  &  his  Whig  friends — 

I  was  gratified  to  know  the  convention  which  met  on  the  22d  to 
nominate  Taylor  Electors  for  the  presidency  passed  off  with  so  much 
unanimity  &  good  feeling  &  without  drawing  strict  party  lines;  had  my 

156 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

friends  in  other  states  done  likewise  the  result  I  think  would  not  be 
doubtful.  Majr  Eaton  &  lady  are  here;  he  brings  no  news  of  importance. 
I  am  indebted  to  Majr  Sumner1  for  his  kind  regards.  Jarvis  no  doubt 
gives  you  a  faithful  picture  of  Gen1  Wool,  &  his  proceedings,  it  may  be 
truly  said  of  him,  he  is  a  "little  great  man" — 

I  am  pleased  to  hear  you  have  put  Wesley  under  medical  treatment, 
&  flatter  myself  his  case  is  not  beyond  the  reach  of  medicine,  &  that  he 
will  soon  be  so  far  recovered  as  to  return  to  the  plantation —  On  the 
subject  of  the  horses,  I  would  prefer  if  an  other  course  has  not  been 
adopted,  the  receipts  to  be  made  out  in  Dicks  name,  but  if  they  have  been 
in  mine,  I  will  will  sign  them  on  their  reaching  me,  &  immediately  return 
them —  I  deeply  regret  to  hear  of  the  fate  of  poor  Conrad,  as  well  as 
the  violent  death  of  Dr  Glen,  but  you  do  not  say  how  or  by  whom  the 
latter  came  to  his  end — 

All  things  considered  you  did  wisely  in  declining  the  charge  of  the 
U.  S.  Gen1  Hospital  to  be  established  in  or  near  N.  Orleans  on  ace*  of 
the  unhealthiness  of  the  position,  but  even  that  would  be  preferable  to 
going  to  Mexico,  &  be  seperated  from  your  family ;  if  you  can  get 
a  pleasant  Northern  or  Eastern  station  it  will  be  more  desirable,  particu 
larly  on  account  of  educating  the  girls  ;  but  if  you  have  to  remain  in  the 
South  I  still  entertain  the  opinion  if  it  can  be  possibly  done,  it  it  would 
be  better  to  keep  a  teacher  or  governess  in  the  house  as  being  more  eco 
nomical  as  well  as  the  most  judicious  course  which  could  be  pursued ; 
however  we  must  do  the  best  we  can  as  regards  such  matters.  Either  of 
the  stations  named  by  you  would  be  most  desirable — 

While  at  Woodville  I  met  with  an  old  brother  officer  who  I  served 
with  soon  after  entering  the  army  Co1  Wm  S.  Hamilton*  who  informed  me 
a  young  son  of  his  about  18  years  of  age,  Franklin  Hamilton  who  he 
sent  to  Ohio  had  joined  one  of  the  Volunteer  Regts  from  that  state  &  went 
with  it  to  Mexico  by  the  way  of  Vera  Cruz,  that  he  had  not  heard  from 
him  for  some  time  which  caused  him  great  uneasiness ;  &  as  volun 
teers  were  sent  out  of  the  country  to  N.  Orleans  very  frequently  sick,  he 


1  Edwin  V.  Sumner  went  into  the  army  in  1819  as  a  second  lieutenant  and  was  slowly  promoted  till  he  reached  the  rank  of 
major-general  of  volunteers  in  1862.     He  distinguished  himself  at  Cerro   Gordo  and   Molino  del   Key,  Mexico,  and  at  Fair  Oak«, 
Va.,  and  died  March  21,  1863. 

2  William  S.  Hamilton  was  born  in  North  Carolina  and  joined  the  army  as  a  first  lieutenant  in  1808.     He  became  major  in 
1813,  lieutenant-colonel  in  1814,  and  resigned  in  1817. 

157 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

might  chance  to  be  among  the  number ;  &  wished  me  to  make  som 
inquiries  about  him  which  I  promised  to  do  ;  I  have  therefore  to  request 
you  to  examine  &  see  if  he  is  among  the  sick  who  have  been  sent  to 
the  Hospital  under  your  charge,  or  may  reach  there  hereafter,  in  either 
case  I  hope  you  will  pay  him  every  attention  in  your  power  to  bestow 
until  he  is  able  to  join  his  family — 

I  intend  going  to  my  plantation  in  5  or  six  days  where  I  expect  to 
remain  until  the  latter  part  of  March — 

Mrs  Taylors  health  is  improving  Betty  is  not  very  well,  but  is  about, 
they  join  me  in  love  to  Ann  &  the  girls  &  wishing  you  &  yours  continued 
health  &  prosperity  remain  your 

Friend  Truly 

Z.  TAYLOR 
SURGEON  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  Army 

N.  Orleans  Barracks 


Baton  Rouge  Louisiana 

June  22d   1848 
My  dear  Doctor, 

Your  very  acceptable  letters  of  the  4th  &  8th  ins*  the  first  from  N. 
York  the  latter  from  the  City  of  Washington,  were  duly  recd  for  which 
you  have  my  best  thanks ;  &  hardly  need  say  the  pleasure  it  afforded  us 
to  learn  you,  Ann  &  the  girls  had  succeeded  in  reaching  your  place  of 
destination  Baltimore,  after  so  long  a  trip,  without  accident  &  in  good 
health,  which  we  sincerely  hope  you  will  long  continue  to  enjoy — 

I  was  pleased  to  know  that  a  school  had  been  fixed  on  at  which  the 
girls  were  to  be  placed,  as  it  is  important  they  should  lose  no  time  in 
prosecuting  such  branches  of  education  as  is  important  for  them  to  acquire 
as  they  will  be  soon  women,  at  any  rate  in  size;  I  hope  therefore  the 
institution  they  will  be  placed  at  will  prove  such  a  one,  as  will  afford  all 
necessary  advantages  to  enable  them  to  complete  their  education  without 
changing  them  to  an  other  for  that  object,  which  is  always  attended  with 
more  or  less  disadvantages,  at  any  rate  with  to  persons  of  their  age —  It 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

appears  I  have  recd  the  nomination  as  the  candidate  of  the  N1  Whig  Con 
vention  which  recently  met  in  Philadelphia,  &  alth°  I  have  not  been  offici 
ally  notified  of  the  same,  yet  I  shall  not  hesitate  to  accept  said  nomination, 
as  I  understand  it  was  made  on  the  grounds  I  have  occupied  from  the 
commencement ;  without  requiring  of  me  pledges  of  any  kind ;  many 
pretended  friends  will  throw  or  attempt  to  do  so,  as  many  obstacles  in  the 
way  of  my  success  as  possible  ;  they  have  already  commenced  caveling  or 
have  taken  acceptions  in  the  Union  to  the  course  pursued  by  the  deliga- 
tion  in  Philadelphia  particularly  at  the  remarks  of  Judge  Saunder  in  con 
vention  ;  even  without  exactly  knowing  what  they  were,  I  am  satisfied  there 
was  nothing  improper  or  even  inconsistent  in  them  ;  the  Judge  is  a  man 
of  as  high  character  for  truth,  honor,  honesty  &c  as  any  in  the  nation  ; 
as  well  as  possing  a  high  order  of  talent ;  I  do  not  intend  to  go  into  the 
discussion  of  this  matter,  I  have  not  changed  in  the  slightest  degree  my 
position  before  the  country  as  regards  the  presidency  since  I  first  assumed 
it ;  &  even  if  others  have  done  so  for  me,  or  even  it  is  so  only  in  imagi 
nation,  I  shall  not  attempt  to  undeceive  them,  &  if  they  themselves  can 
not  unravel  the  mistery  to  their  satisfaction,  why  let  them  in  the  name  of 
Heaven  let  them  vote  for  some  one  else  :  which  will  give  me  no  concern: 

'  O  ' 

for  I  can  say  in  all  sincerity  the  nomination  was  to  me  a  matter  of  no 
exultation  however  much  I  may  be  gratified  at  the  honor  done  me  which 
is  of  no  ordinary  character  coming  from  so  distinguished  a  body  for  tal 
ents,  patriotism  &  above  all  for  purity  of  purpose  &c  as  composed  said 
convention  ;  yet  it  might  have  been  better  for  the  country  had  they  desig 
nated  could  he  have  been  elected  some  one  of  the  prominent  civilians  of 
whom  there  are  so  many  in  the  country ;  &  even  should  I  be  the  success 
ful  candidate  I  shall  not  rejoice,  or  mourn  if  defeated  ;  I  am  now  fairly 
before  the  country  &  shall  calmly  abide  the  result  be  it  what  it  my —  I 
was  very  much  pleased  to  know  you  had  determined  to  keep  as  much  as 
possible  out  of  the  arena  of  this  canvass,  which  I  hope  all  those  who  are 
nearly  connected  to  me,  will  do.  I  have  just  returned  from  the  plantation 
where  I  remained  two  weeks  ;  while  there  we  had  quite  a  tornado  which 
prostrated  several  House  &  a  great  deal  of  fencing  &  many  trees,  besides 
very  much  injuring  the  crop  of  both  corn  &  cotton,  particularly  the  for 
mer  which  appears  to  bear  very  heavily  on  Dick,  who  I  left  at  the  estab 
lishment,  &  where  he  will  remain  a  few  weeks — 

159 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

Co1  Bliss  has  just  heard  of  the  [death?]  of  his  mother  which  will  he 
informs  me  compel  him  to  go  to  New  Hampshire  in  the  course  of  a 
month  or  two — 

The  treaty  is  ratified,  &  the  troops  are  leaving  Mexico  &  returning 
home  as  rapidly  as  possible.  I  do  not  know  what  duty  they  will  assign 
me  to  if  to  any,  or  whether  I  will  be  disbanded  with  the  masses,  which  is 
quite  probable,  as  I  do  not  intend  to  quit  the  army  voluntarily  until  after 
the  result  of  presidential  election  is  known,  nor  even  then  if  unsuccessful — 

Bob  I  learn  you  left  at  school  in  Kentucky  where  I  hope  he  is  doing 
well.  Also  that  you  have  heard  from  John  since  you  went  North  &  that 
his  health  was  not  only  good,  but  that  he  was  getting  on  as  well  as  could 
be  expected,  which  I  sincerely  hope  will  continue  to  be  the  case — 

I  hope  the  Co1  &  family  are  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health  & 
pleased  with  their  location.  Mrs  Taylor  &  Betty  join  me  in  wishing  to 
be  most  kindly  remembered  to  them  ;  as  well  as  love  to  Ann  &  the  girls 
when  you  see  them  &  wishing  you  &  them  continued  health  &  prosperity 
through  a  long  life  I  remain  truly 

Your  Friend 

SURGN  R.  C.  WOOD  Z.  TAYLOR 

U.  S.  Army 

Baltimore 

P.  S.  I  see  your  friend  Tripler  found  his  way  out  of  Mexico  with 
his  friend  Gen1  Scott — 

You  must  not  expect  me  to  write  you  very  often,  or  to  write  very  long 
letters. 


Baton  Rouge  Louisiana 

June  25th  1848 
My  dear  Richard, 

Your  highly  esteemed  letter  of  the  I  Ith  ins1  on  the  subject  of  my 
nomination  as  a  candidate  for  the  presidency  at  the  coming  election  in 
Novr  next,  by  the  Whig  Nat1  Convention  which  recently  met  in  Philadel 
phia,  as  well  as  in  relation  to  other  grave  matters  connected  with  &  grow 
ing  out  of  said  nomination,  has  this  moment  reached  me,  for  the 

1 60 


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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

information  therein  contained  as  well  as  for  your  prudent  suggestions,  you 
have  my  sincere  thanks — 

I  am  free  to  say  I  feel  no  little  gratification  at  the  marked  distinction 
which  has  been  done  me,  on  the  occasion  referred  to,  more  particularly  so, 
coming  as  it  does  from  one  of  the  purest,  most  talented  &  patriotic  body 
of  men  for  their  number,  ever  met  togather  in  this  or  any  country  for  a 
similar  object,  to  disignate  who  was  to  rule  over  them — 

By  nominating  me  as  a  suitable  candidate  for  the  first  office  in  the 
gift  of  a  great  &  free  people,  &  I  may  with  great  propriety  say  the  first  in 
the  world,  during  a  state  of  high  political  excitement  of  a  party  character, 
without  asking  pledges  of  any  kind,  is  an  evidence  of  their  confidence  in 
my  honesty,  truthfulness  integrity  has  but  few  parallels  anywhere,  at  any 
rate  none  since  the  days  of  the  Father  of  his  Country,  under  all  the  cir 
cumstances  attending  said  nomination  it  is  an  honor  of  which  I  may  be 
justly  proud,  &  one  for  which  I  am  duly  grateful,  &  which  I  will  endeavor 
to  continue  to  merit;  &  am  satisfied  I  feel  more  elated  on  acct  of  this 
flattering  compliment,  than  I  shall  do  at  any  time  should  the  good  people 
think  proper  to  elevate  me  to  the  presidential  chair — 

I  have  not  yet  officially  been  notified  of  my  nomination  but  expect  it 
will  be  the  case  in  a  few  days,  as  I  observe  from  the  proceedings  of  the 
convention,  that  Govr  Morehead1  their  president  was  designated  to  com 
municate  to  me  the  result  of  their  labors  ;  as  soon  as  he  does  so,  I  pre 
sume  I  shall  accept  said  nomination  without  making  objections  or  taking 
exceptions  to  any  portions  of  it,  indorsing  the  whole  including  the  course 
of  the  Louisiana  delegation  &  that  of  Judge  Saunders;  &  would  have 
accepted  the  Democratic  nomination  had  it  been  tendered  me  in  like  man 
ner,  leaving  me  untrammeled  &  unpledged  to  carry  out  their  particular 
views  as  regards  this  or  that  measure —  My  answer  to  the  governors 
letter  informing  me  of  my  nomination  will  be  brief,  &  after  due  consider 
ation,  barely  accepting  with  due  thanks  &c  &c  for  the  honor  done  me ; 
unless  there  is  something  more  contained  in  the  letter  referred  to  than  I 
calculate  on,  or  expect ;  which  of  course  I  must  be  governed  by,  &  hope 
under  any  contingency  my  reply  will  be  such  as  my  friends  will  approve, 
what  my  enemies  may  think  of  it  gives  me  no  concern — 


I     John  Motley  Morehead  (1796-1866)  was  governor  of  North  Carolina  from  1841  to  1845. 

161 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

When  Judges  Saunders  &  Winchester  two  old  personal  &  political 
friends,  were  on  their  way  to  the  Eastward  as  delegates  to  attend  the  Whig 
Nat1  Convention,  they  addressed  me  a  joint  communication  requesting  to 
know  what  course  I  wished  them  to  pursue  at  the  organization  of  said 
convention  &  during  its  proceedings,  &  that  I  would  inclose  my  answer 
under  cover  to  a  friend  in  Washington  in  time  for  them  to  receive  it, 
before  the  meeting  of  said  convention,  which  was  done,  &  in  which  I 
stated,  that  as  circumstances  might  occur  after  their  arrival  at  Philadelphia 
connected  with  the  proceedings  of  the  convention  which  I  could  not 
forese,  &  as  I  felt  my  cause  as  well  as  my  honor  safe  in  their  keeping, 
they  must  assume  the  necessary  responsibility  to  act  for  me  in  certain 
contingencies  which  could  not  be  foreseen,  in  which  I  would  acquiesce  ; 
that  if  my  friends  went  into  the  convention  which  I  presumed  they  would 
do,  if  things  were  conducted  on  fair  &  correct  principles,  which  I  had  no 
right  to  doubt  would  be  the  cas,  as  their  constituents  had  sent  there  for 
that  object,  they  would  be  bound  to  support  the  nominees  of  the  conven 
tion,  be  whom  he  might  &  which  they  ought  to  do  heart  &  soul,  leaving 
me  out  of  the  question,  if  I  failed  to  get  the  nomination  ;  that  I  was  not 
a  candidate  further  than  my  friends  had  made  me  so,  without  any  agency 
of  mine  directly,  or  indirectly  in  the  matter,  in  whose  hands  I  was,  &  who 
were  at  liberty  to  withdraw  or  drop  me,  which  I  could  not  do  on  my  own 
accord,  &  which  they  ought  to  do,  provided  they  could  take  up  a  more 
available  candidate  &  particularly  one  better  qualified  to  serve  the  country, 
&  should  they  succeed  in  electing  him,  it  would  neither  disappoint  or 
mortify  me,  on  the  contrary  if  he  was  honest,  truthful  &  patriotic  I  will 
rejoice  at  the  result ;  under  said  instructions  my  friends  from  Louisiana 
were  fully  justified  in  taking  the  course  they  did,  at  any  rate  I  approve  it ; 
&  in  doing  so,  I  do  not  conceive  I  have  departed  from  the  position  I 
assumed  ever  since  my  humble  name  was  brought  before  the  country  for 
the  high  office  in  question,  or  that  it  involves  any  inconsistency  on  my 
part,  others  however  may  think  so,  in  which  case  I  will  not  attempt  to 
change  their  opinions,  even  if  I  had  the  vanity  to  believe  I  could  do  so  ; 
and  however  I  may  regret  losing  the  support  of,  I  have  no  doubt  of  many 
high  minded  &  honorable  men  in  consequence  of  the  course  things  have 
taken,  yet  it  is  gratifying  to  me  to  know  there  has  been  no  concealments 
in  the  matter  &  that  there  is  ample  time  between  now  &  the  yth  Novr  for 

162 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

all  who  have  been  disappointed  in  relation  to  this  or  any  other  matter,  or 
even  desire  to  change  their  positions,  to  select  another  candidate  for  the 
presidency,  for  whom  they  can  vote,  without  doing  violence  to  their 
feelings — 

As  to  the  course  pursued  by  the  Louisiana  deligation1  I  observe  it 
has  been  made  a  prominent  element  of  attack  on  them  to  bring  about  a 
colision  between  them  &  myself  on  the  score  of  varacity,  with  a  hope  of 
sowing  distrust  among  the  whig  ranks,  which  seems  to  have  been  done 
about  the  same  time  from  N.  York  to  N.  Orleans ;  at  the  latter  place  the 
most  contemptable  meas  possible  was  resorted  to,  to  bring  about  the  result 
referred  to  ;  individuals  under  the  disguise  of  gentlemen  posted  up  here 
from  the  city  who  after  calling  on  me,  in  the  character  of  friends,  &  being 
kindly  treated,  returned  to  the  city  &  give  I  am  credibly  informed  circu 
lation  to  the  most  palpable  falsehod  touching  this  matter ;  which  was  im 
mediately  sized  on  by  the  several  papers  hostile  to  me,  &  published  among 
other  matters  that  there  was  a  letter  in  the  city  from  me  which  would  make 
its  appearance  the  next  day,  in  which  I  had  denounced  the  course  of  the 
Louisiana  delegation,  and  would  not  accept  the  nomination  of  the 
whig  convention,  &  that  the  whigs  would  have  to  call  another  con 
vention  to  select  an  other  candidate  &c  &c,  all  of  which  was  gotten  up 
for  effect  without  the  slightest  authority,  by  men  who  professed  great 
frankness  &  independence,  &  who  have  professed  to  be  my  warmest 
friends,  &  most  devoted  advocates  for  the  presidency  ;  all  of  which  has 


I  The  whig  national  convention  of  1848  met  in  Philadelphia  June  yth.  On  the  evening  of  June  8th  Judge  Saunders  of 
Louisiana  was  on  motion  allowed  to  define  General  Taylor's  position.  He  then  read  a  paper,  drawn  up  by  the  Louisiana  delega 
tion  as  follows: 

"  The  position  occupied  by  General  Taylor  in  relation  to  the  presidency  does  not  seem  to  be  correctly  understood  by  many 
persons,  and  for  that  reason  it  is  deemed  proper  by  the  delegation  of  Louisiana  to  make  such  explanation  and  statements  in  rela 
tion  thereto  as  may  effectually  remove  all  doubts  which  may  have  arisen  from  the  effects  of  misrepresentation  and  misapprehen 
sion.  General  Taylor  has  taken  no  part  in  bringing  his  name  before  the  American  people  in  connection  with  the  presidency,  nor 
does  he  present  his  name  to  the  convention  as  a  candidate ;  his  friends  throughout  the  country,  rather  discouraged  than  encouraged 
by  him,  have  placed  him  prominently  before  the  nation  as  worthy  of  filling  the  place  once  occupied  by  the  illustrious  father  of  his 
country,  and  General  Taylor  consents  to  the  nomination.  He  considers  himself  in  the  hands  of  his  friends  who  have  honored 
him  with  the  choice, — he  has  publicly  and  repeatedly  stated  that  they  might  withdraw  him  whenever  they  thought  the  interest  of 
the  country  required  it ; — he  does  not  consider  that,  under  the  circumstances  on  which  his  name  has  been  brought  forward,  it  would 
be  proper  in  him  to  withdraw  himself.  Such  has  been  his  position  since  he  consented  to  the  use  of  his  name  subsequent  to  the 
capture  of  Monterey,  and  such  is  his  position  now. 

"  On  behalf  of  the  delegation  from  Louisiana,  I  will  farther  state  that  General  Taylor  desires  it  to  be  understood  that  in  his 
opinion  his  friends  who  came  into  this  convention  are  bound  to  abide  by  its  decisions,  and  to  sustain  the  nominee,  heart  and  soul  ; 
that  General  Taylor  recognized  in  his  friends  in  this  convention  the  right  to  withdraw  his  name,  and  he  will  cheerfully  acquiesce 
in  such  withdrawal.  General  Taylor,  we  are  also  authorized  to  say,  will  hail  with  entire  satisfaction,  any  nomination  beside 
himself,  being  persuaded  that  the  welfare  of  our  country  requires  a  change  of  men  and  measures  in  order  to  arrest  the  downward 
tendency  of  our  national  affairs. 

"  On  making  the  announcement  the  delegates  from  Louisiana  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood  that  it  involves  no  inconsist 
ency  on  the  part  of  General  Taylor.  In  case  the  choice  of  this  convention  should  fall  on  another  than  General  Taylor,  and  his 
friends  in  this  convention  withdraw  him,  it  will  be  their  act  and  not  his,  but  in  which  he  will  cheerfully  acquiesce;  and  by  the 
act  of  uniting  with  this  convention  his  friends  withdraw  his  name  from  the  canvats,  unless  he  be  the  nominee  of  this  convention. 
And  we  deem  it  proper  to  assure  the  whigs  of  the  Union  that  we  desire  the  nomination  and  election  of  General  Taylor  to  the 
presidency  on  no  other  than  broad  national  grounds." 

163 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

somewhat  the  appearance  of  a  concerted  attack ;  I  see  I  am  railed  at  in 
advance  by  the  loco  press  to  prevent  my  accepting  the  whig  nomination, 
but  they  may  rail  on  I  will  not  consult  as  to  the  proper  course  for  me 
to  pursue  in  this  or  any  other  matter — 

I  never  had  any  aspirations  for  civil  office  of  any  kind,  &  even  if  I 
had  in  former  days  age  &  more  than  40  years  spent  in  the  military  service 
of  the  Republic,  many  of  which'  have  been  in  the  field  under  canvas  from 
the  heads  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  burning  sands  of  Florida  &  the  inhos 
pitable  climate  of  Mexico,  which  has  had  the  effect  to  allay  the  same,  so 
much  so,  should  I  reach  the  presidency  by  the  too  great  partiality  of  my 
countrymen  I  would  go  into  the  office  more  from  a  sense  of  duty  than 
from  inclination— 

Your  Aunt  whose  health  is  only  tolerable  is  the  only  member  of  the 
family  with  me ;  Betty  is  on  a  short  visit  to  a  friend  some  40  miles  dis 
tant,  &  Dick  is  on  the  plantation —  Your  Aunt  joins  me  in  wishing  to 
be  most  kindly  remembered  to  your  uncle  &  family,  &  wishing  you  con 
tinued  health  &  prosperity  through  a  long  life 

I  remain  your 

Devoted  Uncle 

R.  T.  ALLISON  Esgr  Z.  TAYLOR 

Baltimore,  Md 

P.  S.  Since  writing,  the  mail  has  arrived  bringing  your  letter  of  the 
12th  also  the  one  referred  to  from  the  committee  in  Baltimore— 

Z.  T. 


Baton  Rouge  Louisiana 

August  8th  1848 
My  dear  Richard, 

Your  acceptable  &  interesting  letter  of  2yth  ult°  has  this  moment 
reached  me,  communicating  the  proceedings  of  the  independent  conven 
tion  of  Maryland,  which  had  recently  met  in  Baltimore  &  adjourned  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  my  course  in  regard  to  the  one 
pursued  by  the  delegates  from  Louisiana  in  the  Whig  National  Conven 
tion  which  assembled  in  June  last ;  that  they  should  or  a  majority  of  them 

164 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

have  on  "  sober  second  thoughts,"  been  dissatisfied  with  my  letter  of 
explanation  submitted  to  that  body,  by  the  committee  who  was  author 
ised  to  address  me  touching  the  subject  in  question,  is  a  matter  to  me  of 
some  regret  as  there  are  among  them  men  whose  good  opinion  I  should 
like  to  possess  ;  but  as  to  their  supporting  me  for  the  highest  office  in  the 
gift  of  the  people,  or  not,  it  gives  me  but  little  concern ;  I  am  satisfied 
with  the  course  I  have  pursued  since  my  name  was  first  brought  before 
the  country  as  a  candidate  for  the  presidency,  except  in  one  instance  which 
is,  that  I  had  not  objected  most  positively  to  my  name  being  at  all  con 
nected  with  the  same;  for  in  truth  I  never  had  any  aspiration  for  the 
office;  nor  have  I  any  wishes  for  it  now,  further  than  my  friends  are 
anxious  for  me  to  reach  it  &  trust  those  who  are  not  satisfied  with  the 
course  as  regards  the  action  of  the  Louisiana  Delegation  in  the  matter  in 
question  as  well  as  the  course  I  have  pursued  in  the  matter  of  consistency 
or  the  position  I  have  taken  &  now  occupy  since  my  nomination  by  the 
convention  at  Philadelphia  will  not  hesitate  to  cast  their  votes  for  some 
one  else,  &  it  is  a  matter  of  gratification  for  me  to  know  there  is  plenty 
of  time  between  now  &  the  7th  of  Novr  for  them  to  select  a  candidate 
more  suitable  to  their  taste  or  views,  &  should  they  succeed  in  electing 
him,  I  shall  experience  no  mortification  at  the  result — 

On  the  subject  of  the  letter  referred  to  which  has  been  placed  in  the 
hands  of  a  friend  subject  to  my  order  or  any  friend  authorized  by  me  ;  I 
have  written  to  the  Honb1  R.  Johnson  of  the  U.  S.  Senate  from  Mary 
land  authorizing  him  to  have  it  published  ;  he  having  written  me  advising 
that  I  would  do  so  ;  the  only  objection  I  had  to  this  course  in  the  first 
instance,  was  my  dislike  to  my  name  appearing  in  the  newspapers  so  fre 
quently  ;  not  that  if  done  it  it  would  have  the  effect  to  injure  me  in  the 
opinion  of  any  real  friend,  no  matter  how  much  it  might  be  misrepre 
sented,  criticised  &  commented  on  by  pretended  friends  or  open  enemies — 

I  must  now  since  my  accceptance  of  the  nomination  by  the  Whig 
convention  expect  to  be  assailed  from  every  quarter  of  the  Union  in  the 
most  outrageous  manner  without  regard  to  truth,  decency  or  anything 
else,  by  pensioned  editors  of  n.  papers,  hired  scriblers,  as  well  as  many 
others,  which  I  have  determined  shall  not  be  the  cause  of  any  thing  like 
mortification,  but  will  continue  to  pursue  the  "  even  tenor  of  my  way  " 
without  turning  to  the  right  or  left  to  notice  them — 

165 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

The  facts  in  the  case  I  consider  very  plain,  so  much  so  that  I  deem 
the  statement  of  Judge  Sander  referred  to  unimportant  at  the  present 
time  &  would  do  no  good  if  made  public,  particularly  as  I  have  indorsed 
his  course  &  that  of  his  colliegues,  which  from  the  course  things  had 
taken  I  considered  I  was  bound  to  do,  no  matter  who  approved  or  disap 
proved  it — 

I  have  seen  the  comments  in  the  Buena  Vista  on  my  severy  letters 
which  have  been  published  heretofore  in  various  news  papers,  all  of  which 
have  given  me  but  little  concern ;  nor  do  I  know  that  I  should  have  again 
thought  of  that  mighty  effort  at  vituperation  had  you  not  brought  it  to 
my  notice,  as  I  can  assure  you  it  had  passed  by  without  making  the  slight 
est  impression — 

I  thought  it  best  to  authorise  the  Hon1  R.  Johnson  to  have  my  let 
ter  published,  preferring  from  certain  reasons  that  he  should  do  so  than 
any  one  else;  at  the  same  time  I  should  have  been  quite  pleased  had  you 
taken  the  responsibility  of  doing  so — 

We  were  very  much  pleased  to  learn  that  Dr  Wood  &  Ann  were  in 
good  health,  as  well  as  your  uncle  &  family  which  I  flatter  myself  will 
long  continue  to  be  the  case —  Your  aunt  &  Betty  are  only  in  tolerable 
health,  they  desire  to  be  kindly  remembered  to  you  as  well  as  best  regards 
to  your  uncle  &  family  should  they  have  returned  to  the  city ;  as  well  as 
the  Dr  &  Ann. 

I  expect  to  leave  here  in  about  a  week  with  your  aunt  &  Betty  for 
Pascagoula,  a  watering  place  on  the  gulf  back  of  New  Orleans,  where  we 
will  spend  some  three  or  four  weeks  &  then  return  here — 

I  sincerely  hope  your  affairs  are  as  prosperous  as  you  could  expect. 

Wishing  you  continued  health  &  prosperity 

I  remain  truly  &  sincerely 

Your  affectionate 
Uncle 

Z.  TAYLOR 
R.  T.  ALLISON  ESQR 
Baltimore 


166 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 


Baton  Rouge  Louisiana 
December  ioth  i 
My  dear  Doctor, 

On  my  return  here  a  day  or  two  since  from  a  short  visit  to  N. 
Orleans  I  found  your  highly  esteemed  &  interesting  letter  of  the  12th  ult° 
Some  one  or  two  were  recd  from  you  previously  which  were  not  replied 
to,  as  Betty  vas  about  writing  to  Ann  when  they  came  to  hand,  &  as  I 
was  overburdened  with  my  correspondence,  I  requested  her  to  state  to  you 
through  Ann,  that  I  had  received  them,  besides  which  she  communicated 
all  that  was  of  any  interest  here  as  regarded  family  matters  &  local  affairs, 
which  was  worthy  of  notice — 

Alth°  I  can  truly  say  that  I  felt  neither  exultation  or  gratification  so 
far  as  I  was  individually  concerned  at  the  result  of  the  late  presidential 
contest,  yet  I  sincerely  thank  you  &  dear  Ann  for  your  kind  congratula 
tions  on  ace1  of  my  success  in  reaching  the  office  in  question,  which  I  look 
upon  more  as  a  bed  of  thorns  than  one  of  roses  &  however  strang  it  may 
appear  I  would  greatly  prefer  could  the  mantle  have  fallen  on  some  one 
of  the  distinguished  Whigs  I  could  name  instead  of  myself — 

My  election  has  no  dout  astonished  those  in  power,  who  resorted  to 
every  measure  to  break  me  down  as  far  as  they  could  do  so,  when  in  a 
foreign  country  in  front  of  the  enemy,  &  to  destroy  me  by  the  vilest 
slanders  of  the  most  unprincipled  demagouges  this  or  any  other  nation 
ever  was  cursed  with,  who  have  pursued  me  like  blood-hounds  up  to  the 
present  moment,  &  who  will  continue  to  do  so,  as  long  as  their  employers 
or  masters  will  it,  notwithstanding  the  signal  rebuke  they  have  met  with 
from  a  majority  of  the  free  &  independent  voters  of  the  country  ;  the 
maxim  is  a  correct  one  that  the  sovrign  people  when  left  to  thems  rarely  err, 
&  the  recent  election  proves  that  even  when  every  effort  is  resorted  to  on  the 
part  of  their  rulars  to  mislead  &  deceive  them,  they  are  capable  of  judg 
ing  for  themselves  &  shewing  their  servants  who  they  placed  in  high 
places  that  they  are  capable  of  judging  for  themselves  &  deciding  who 
shall  rule  over  them — 

I  was  aware  you  would  as  well  as  Ann  be  highly  gratified  to  hear 
from  John,  &  hope  you  have  received  from  him  an  other  letter  ere  this, 
&  that  he  is  getting  on  as  well  as  could  be  expected ;  I  am  anxious  to 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

know  he  is  getting  on  with  his  new  commander,  of  which  he  appeared  to 
have  some  doubts  as  regarding  doing  so,  as  well  as  he  had  done,  with 
those  he  had  previously  sailed  with  ;  but  I  hope  for  the  best — 

We  are  truly  pleased  to  learn  Rob  &  the  youg  ladies  were  all  well  at 
Emmitsburg,  &  that  they  are  making  as  rapid  progress  in  the  several 
branches  of  education  they  are  pursuing  as  could  be  expected  ;  &  that  the 
girls  can  remain  there  to  advantage  until  their  education  is  for  the  most 
part  completed —  I  was  quite  pleased  to  hear  that  the  Co1  &  family  were 
all  well,  which  I  hope  continues  to  be  the  case  ;  R.  Allison  I  learn  is 
threatened  with  consumption,  &  been  advised  to  go  to  Cuba,  &  suppose 
he  has  left  for  that  Island  ere  this — 

Genl1  &  Mrs  Gaines  I  learn  are  expected  in  N.  Orleans  very  soon,  & 
that  he  is  to  command  this  division  when  I  leave  it —  Dr  Jarvis  got  here 
day  before  yesterday  on  his  way  to  the  Rio  Grande,  &  spent  the  day  with 
us  &  then  continued  on  to  the  city  ;  he  stated  he  saw  you  in  Baltimore 
when  on  his  way  out  from  N.  York,  but  not  Ann,  who  was  suffering  with 
a  swollen  face,  since  when  a  letter  has  reached  here  from  her  of  the 
26th  ult°  to  Betty  in  which  she  says  she  was  suffering  with  a  cold  &  soar 
throat ;  I  truly  hope  she  will  be  relieved  from  both,  &  restored  to  health 
before  this  reaches  you —  Jarvis  complains  a  little  at  the  arrangements 
made  at  Washington  by  the  head  of  the  medical  dep'  but  appears  to 
doubt  whether  it  could  be  avoided,  &  acts  the  part  of  a  philosopher ; 
McLaren  he  say  was  very  much  dissatisfied  at  having  to  go  to  Fl  Snell- 
ing ;  there  are  much  wore  posts  than  that ;  he  also  says  that  Cuyler  has 
been  ordered  to  relieve  Wright  at  West  Point,  &  the  latter  order  to 
Texas,  or  to  some  place  in  the  newly  acquired  Territory,  if  this  is  so,  I 
shall  regret  it —  The  vote  of  Virginia  was  given  to  Cass  &  Butler — 
W.  relieves  T — he  is  a  great  humbug  let  him  go  when  &  where  he  may, 
he  will  suit  such  men  as  Houston,  Henderson  &  the  other  representa 
tives  of  like  qualities  in  said  state —  I  have  no  doubt  that  many  demo 
crats  particularly  the  bone  &  sinew  in  Pennsylvania  voted  for  me, 
otherwise  I  could  not  have  been  elected  the  fact  is  the  wireworkers  could 
not  controul  them,  they  were  determined  to,  &  did  take  the  matter  into 
their  own  hands  &  managed  it  as  they  thought  best — 

My  troubles  &  trials  have  commenced ;  every  mail  which  reaches 
here  are  rilled  with  applications  for  office  &  those  connected  with  me,  are 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

particularly  anxious — R.  T.  Allison  wants  to  be  consul  at  Havana ;  Fred 
Edwards  wants  to  be  post  master  at  Louisville,  to  enable  Die  Hancock, 
&  John  Gibson  to  be  taken  care  of,  an  other  distant  relative  wants  the 
post  office  at  St.  Louis  &  others  want  offices  because  they  are  connected 
with  some  member  of  my  family ;  I  cannot  entertain  such  applications, 
or  in  fact  any,  for  was  I  to  do  so,  I  would  break  myself  down  in  less  than 
6  months.  I  am  not  going  into  office  for  the  purpose  of  proscribing 
people  for  opinion  sake,  but  to  be  the  president  of  the  country —  There 
will  be  no  doubt  many  who  will  have  to  go,  for  good  &  sufficient  causes, 
which  I  very  much  regret,  &  wish  there  was  no  necessity  for  removing 
any  one — 

I  expect  to  leave  for  Washington  about  the  first  of  Feb?  by  the  way 
of  the  Mississippi  &  Ohio,  M"  Taylor  on  ace'  of  feeble  health  will  not 
accompany  me,  she  will  remain  with  Dick  who  will  accompany  her  to 
Washington,  or  to  Cumberland  in  May  or  June,  where  I  will  join  her, 
when  he  will  return  to  the  South  ;  I  do  not  wish  him  to  locate  at  or  about 
Washington,  or  to  fill  any  office —  Betty  was  married  last  week  to  Co1 
Bliss ;  they  are  now  absent  on  a  visit  to  Mr  &  Mrs  Taylor  at  Point 
Coupee,  but  will  return  in  a  few  days  ;  I  expect  they  will  go  North  during 
next  month  by  sea,  in  one  of  the  steam  packets —  Betty  I  presume  will 
keep  Ann  advised  as  to  her  movements —  Dick  is  on  the  plantation — 
Mrs  T.  whose  health  is  not  good  joins  me  in  love  to  An  &  the  young 
ladies  &  Rob,  as  well  as  kindest  regards  to  to  the  Co1  &  all  his  family,  as 
well  as  to  R.  T.  Allison  if  still  in  Baltimore,  &  wishing  you  &  yours  con 
tinued  health  &  prosperity  I  remain  truly 

Your  Friend 

Z.  TAYLOR 
DR  R.  C.  WOOD 

U.  S.  A.  Baltimore 


169 


APPENDIX 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

APPENDIX 

GENERAL  TAYLOR  IN  HIS  OWN  DEFENCE. 

A  REMARKABLE  LETTER  NOW  PUBLISHED  FOR  THE  FIRST  TIME. 


&  Ob«  Serv* 

ABBOTT  LAWRENCE. 
To  GENERAL  Z.  TAYLOR, 

Washington. 
Boston,  Sept.  7,  1849. 


Private. 

Headquarters,  Army  of  Occupation, 
Camp  near  Monterey,  August  29,  1847. 
My  Dear  Sir : 

Your  highly  esteemed  and  interesting  letter  of  the  iQth  ultimo,  which  reached 
me  a  short  time  since,  was  as  gratifying  as  it  was  unexpected,  for  although  our 
mutual  friend,  Major  Butler,  and  myself  had  several  conversations  as  regards  the 
course  pursued  toward  me  by  some  of  the  authorities  at  Washington  since  the  taking 
of  Monterey  in  September  last,  in  which  your  name  was  casually  mentioned,  but 
always  with  great  respect  and  kindness ;  and  on  one  occasion  he,  the  Major,  per 
mitted  me  to  read  a  letter  from  you  to  him,  in  reply  to  one  he  had  addressed  you  in 
whole,  or  in  part,  on  this  subject,  the  contents  of  which  were  highly  approved ;  and 
although  I  had  not  expected  a  letter  from  you  in  relation  to  this  matter,  yet  the  same 
is  duly  appreciated,  and  for  which  you  will  be  pleased  to  accept  my  most  cordial 
thanks. 

I  consider  I  would  be  acting  the  hypocrite  if  I  hesitated  to  say  on  all  proper 
occasions  that  I  considered  I  had  been  most  harshly  if  not  cruelly  treated  during  the 
last  nine  or  ten  months  ;  whether  intentionally  so  by  the  head  of  the  War  Depart 
ment,  through  the  agency  of  the  General  in  Chief  of  the  Army,  aided  by  the  in 
trigues  and  misrepresentations  of  certain  subordinates,  or  from  the  force  of  circum 
stances,  I  will  not  pretend  to  say,  but  am  willing  to  hope  it  is  attributable  to 
the  latter.  In  order  that  you  may  understand  the  circumstances  which  have  caused 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

me  to  believe  the  Secretary  of  War  and  some  other  high  functionaries  have  been, 
if  not  now,  anything  but  friendly  disposed  towards  me,  and  to  place  my  course  and 
conduct  in  their  proper  light  so  that  you,  whose  good  opinion  I  not  only  desire  to 
possess  but  to  deserve,  may  comprehend  the  whole  matter,  it  will  not,  I  trust,  be 
considered  presuming  or  improper  in  me  to  enter  into  somewhat  of  a  detailed  nar 
rative  of  the  events  connected  with  this  subject  from  the  time  I  took  command  of 
the  army  and  conducted  it  from  the  United  States  to  Mexico  until  it  was  taken  from 
me  ;  or  in  fact  up  to  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista ;  in  doing  which  I  must  be  more 
lengthy  than  I  could  have  wished,  leaving  you,  however,  at  liberty  to  read  it  or  not 
should  you  have  a  leisure  moment,  if  not  to  throw  it  aside,  or  in  the  fire,  as  you  may 
think  best. 

While  stationed  and  on  duty  on  the  frontier  of  the  state  of  Arkansas  in  1844 
I  was  ordered  to  Fort  Jesup,  La.,  to  take  command  of  the  Army  of  Observation, 
assembled  at  that  place,  consisting  of  two  regiments  of  infantry  and  one  of  dragoons, 
and  hold  them  in  readiness  to  repel  any  outrages  that  might  be  attempted  by  any 
Indian  tribes  residing  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  or  the  citizens  of  Texas  ; 
and  to  open  a  correspondence  with  the  President  of  that  Republic,  and  our  diplo 
matic  agent,  Major  Donaldson,  residing  near  that  Government,  in  relation  to  this 
and  other  matters. 

I  reached  Fort  Jesup  in  June  and  at  once  entered  on  the  duties  assigned  me, 
where  I  remained  until  July  4th  or  5th,  when  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  United 
States  having  been  completed,  I  was  directed  by  Mr.  Bancroft,  then  in  charge  of 
the  War  Department,  to  move  with  the  troops  under  my  orders  to,  or  near,  the 
southern  boundary  of  the  newly  acquired  territory  and  take  a  position  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  Gulf,  best  calculated  to  protect  the  people  of  the  same  from  Mexican  invasion 
and  depredations,  which  I  was  particularly  directed  to  prevent ;  going  on  to  say, 
as  the  Department  had  no  knowledge  of  the  localities  of  that  portion  of  the  country, 
much  was  left  to  my  discretion  in  carrying  out  the  views  of  the  Government. 
After  collecting  all  the  information  I  could,  which  was  very  little,  in  regard  to  that 
part  of  the  Gulf  coast  as  regarded  its  harbors,  rivers,  &c  I  determined  on  going  to 
St.  Josephs  Island  and  make  the  proper  examinations  before  locating  the  command. 

Having  ordered  the  Dragoons  to  march  by  land  across  Texas  and  report  to  me 
at  or  near  St.  Joseph's,  I  proceeded  to  that  pass  with  the  3d  and  4th  Infantry  by  the 
way  of  New  Orleans,  where  I  was  joined  by  one  company  of  artillery,  and  reached 
my  place  of  destination  the  latter  part  of  July,  and  after  looking  around  for  some 
days,  fixed  on  Corpus  Christi,  a  small  trader's  establishment  belonging  to  and  occu 
pied  by  a  few  of  our  citizens,  on  a  large  bay  of  the  same  name,  west  of  the  Nueces  ; 
here  the  command  was  permanently  encamped  early  in  August,  where  I  was  soon 
after  joined  by  the  Dragoons,  and  during  the  autumn  by  the  larger  portion  of  the 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

regular  Army,  where  we  remained  undergoing  a  system  of  instruction,  observing  the 
movements  of  the  Mexicans,  locating  troops  on  the  northern  and  western  frontiers 
of  the  new  state  to  restrain  the  Indians,  exploring  the  country  in  every  direction, 
and  preparing  transportation  either  by  land  or  water  for  a  prompt  movement,  until 
the  latter  part  of  the  winter,  when  I  was  ordered  to  move  forward,  take  a  position 
on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  near  Matamoras,  and  maintain  it,  but  to  act  on 
the  defensive,  unless  the  Mexicans  made  it  necessary  to  do  otherwise.  In  obedience 
to  which  I  left  Corpus  Christi  on  the  nth  of  March,  1846,  and  after  passing  over 
a  deep  sandy  desert,  covered  with  salt  marshes  150  miles,  we  reached  Point  Isabel 
on  the  23d,  where  I  was  joined  the  next  day  by  our  heavy  baggage,  guns,  &c.,  sent 
around  from  Corpus  Christi  by  water. 

After  selecting  a  proper  position  for  a  depot,  and  leaving  an  engineer  officer  to 
lay  out  a  suitable  work  for  its  security,  and  lose  no  time  in  commencing  it,  as  well 
as  leaving  a  small  guard  for  its  defence,  I  continued  my  march  to  the  Rio  Grande, 
opposite  to  Matamoras,  distant  thirty  miles,  reaching  it  on  the  28th,  and  took  posi 
tion  on  the  bank  of  the  river  opposite  the  city,  and  within  short  cannon  range  of  it 
and  the  works  thrown  up  to  defend  it,  and  at  once  had  heavy  field  work  laid  out  and 
commenced  by  and  under  the  superintendence  of  the  Engineers,  which  was  pushed 
forward  with  great  zeal  and  perseverance  by,  I  may  say,  the  whole  command,  until 
the  last  day  of  April,  when  being  nearly  completed,  and  the  Mexican  commander, 
Gen1  Arista  having  a  few  days  previously  commenced  crossing  his  army  from  the 
right  to  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  having  succeeded  in  surprising  and 
capturing  a  squadron  of  Dragoons,  after  leaving  a  strong  garrison  in  the  new  work 
with  orders  to  the  commander  to  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity,  I  fell  back,  reaching 
Point  Isabel  on  the  2d  of  May ;  after  strengthening  the  works  of  that  important 
place  and  increasing  its  garrison,  on  the  evening  of  the  Jth  I  commenced  retracing 
my  steps  with  something  less  than  2,300  men  with  a  large  wagon  train  to  relieve 
the  garrison  of  the  new  work  which  had  been  invested  on  the  morning  of  the  3d. 
As  expected,  I  found  the  Mexican  army  on  the  8th  about  12  o'clock  m.  greatly 
outnumbering  us  in  every  arm,  drawn  up  in  a  position  to  dispute  our  march  ;  I  did 
not  hesitate  to  give  him  battle  which  continued  until  dark,  when  he  was  driven  from 
his  position,  we  occupying  the  same  for  the  night.  The  battle  of  the  gth  with 
greater  odds  against  us  followed,  the  result  of  which  you  are  aware  of,  and  the  new 
work  relieved  after  a  bombardment  of  five  days  with  the  loss  of  their  gallant  com 
mander — after  which,  as  soon  as  I  could  obtain  boats  to  enable  me  to  cross  the  Rio 
Grande  with  my  artillery,  I  took  possession  of  Matamoras,  the  enemy  having 
abandoned  it,  and  fled  beyond  our  reach. 

While  waiting  here  instructions  in  regard  to  future  operations  from  Washington, 
I  received  the  appointment  of  Major-General  by  brevet  which  was  soon  followed 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

by  a  similar  appointment,  Congress  having  added  another  officer  of  that  grade  to 
the  Army,  which  appointments  I  did  not  expect,  nor  had  I  sought  them  further  than 
by  the  faithful  discharge  of  my  duty ;  yet  they  were  not  the  less  gratifying,  and  no 
one  could  feel  more  elated,  or  highly  flattered  at  the  approval  of  my  conduct,  as 
well  as  the  confidence  reposed  in  me  by  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Republic, 
which  I  had  hoped  to  have  continued  to  retain,  as  well  as  to  merit.  On  the  26th 
of  June  I  received  a  communication  from  the  Secretary  of  War  of  which  the  fol 
lowing  is  an  extract :  "You  will  have  received  before  this  will  reach  you  a  brevet 
commission  of  Major-General,  and  the  President's  order  assigning  you  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  Army  of  the  Rio  Grande  according  to  your  brevet  rank.  It  is  the 
President's  intention  to  continue  you  in  that  command  and  to  commit  to  you  the 
conduct  of  it  in  the  ensuing  campaign." 

I  at  the  same  time  received  the  plan  of  said  campaign  drawn  up  by  the  General 
in  Chief  of  the  Army,  giving  the  number  of  troops  &c  to  be  employed.  Although 
I  did  not  approve  the  plan  of  said  campaign,  nor  was  I  consulted  in  regard  to  it, 
yet  I  hazard  nothing  when  I  say  that  no  one  ever  entered  on  the  performance  of  any 
duty  than  I  did  in  this,  with  greater  zeal,  better  spirit  and  determination  to  carry  it 
out  to  the  very  letter,  to  the  best  of  my  abilities  and  energies  ;  nor  did  I,  as  long  as 
supported  falter  for  one  moment,  believing  in  doing  so  I  was  carrying  out  the  best 
interests  of  the  country,  by  sustaining  its  executive. 

In  the  meantime,  some  18,000  volunteers  had  or  soon  after  arrived  at  Brazos 
Island,  without  bringing  with  or  preceding  them,  the  means  of  transporting  a  barrel 
of  flour,  or  anything  else,  one  mile  from  where  they  landed ;  and  in  some  instances 
without  bringing  with  them  camp  equipage  of  any  kind,  nor  was  there  any  in  the 
country  to  supply  them  with,  and  for  several  weeks  it  was  nearly  as  much  as  the 
officers  of  the  Quarter  Master's  Department  could  do,  with  all  the  means  at  their 
disposal,  to  remove  said  volunteers,  and  their  baggage,  as  they  arrived  at  the  Brazos, 
to  where  they  could  procure  wood  and  fresh  water,  there  being  neither  of  these 
where  they  landed,  nor  were  there  the  necessary  subsistence  stores.  About  4,000 
of  the  six  months'  volunteers  referred  to,  mostly  from  Louisiana,  had  volunteered 
under  peculiar  circumstances ;  the  news  of  the  defeat  and  capture  of  the  Dragoons, 
in  addition  to  the  reported  perilous  situation  of  our  little  army  on  the  Rio  Grande, 
from  which  it  was  supposed  it  could  not  extricate  itself,  reached  New  Orleans  at 
the  same  time  that  a  call  was  made  on  the  patriotic  governor  of  that  state  for  four 
regiments  of  Volunteers,  who  without  a  moment's  delay  made  a  requisition  for  the 
same  on  the  chivalrous  people  of  his  state,  which  was  promptly  responded  to ;  and 
instead  of  four,  six  regiments  flocked  to  her  standard,  rich  and  poor,  men  of  large 
families,  and  of  every  class  and  calling,  without  distinction  of  party  were  found  in 
the  ranks,  who  had  left  their  affairs  unsettled,  and,  it  may  be  said,  had  left  their 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

ploughs  unharnessed  in  their  fields  to  rush  to  the  rescue,  so  much  so,  that  the  next 
consideration  was,  instead  of  urging  them  forward,  to  restrain  them — with  such 
feelings  they  reached  the  Rio  Grande  where  they  hoped  and  expected  to  have  found 
and  encountered  the  enemy  ;  you  can  therefore  well  imagine  their  feelings  of  dis 
appointment  and  mortification  to  find  the  Mexican  army  had  been  defeated,  dis 
persed,  and  fled  to  or  beyond  the  mountains  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  and  that  to  find 
an  enemy  a  march  over  an  arid  country  of  nearly  300  miles  in  extent,  with  very 
limited  supplies  to  be  had  on  the  way  for  men  or  horses  and  without  the  necessary 
means  of  transportation  had  to  be  encountered.  A  camp  life  was  unsuited  to  them, 
and  disease,  the  inheritance  of  all  armies,  and  particularly  so  among  troops  fresh 
from  civil  life,  had  begun  to  show  itself  among  them,  when  those  gallant  men,  whose 
term  of  service  would  soon  be  drawing  to  a  close,  requested  to  be  led  against  the 
enemy  or  permitted  to  return  to  their  homes  ;  the  first  was  impossible,  the  latter  was 
complied  with,  as  I  was  satisfied  the  interests  of  the  country  would  be  promoted 
instead  of  injured  by  such  an  arrangement.  None  but  those  present  on  such  oc 
casions  can  understand  the  feelings,  or  appreciate  the  trials,  mortifications,  and 
harassments  incident  to  them,  yet  they  were  all  borne  with,  with  all  the  equanimity 
I  could  command ;  nor  were  the  necessary  preparations  for  the  campaign  for  one 
moment  lost  sight  of;  the  Quarter  Master  at  the  head  of  the  Department  with  me, 
and  at  New  Orleans  were  urged  over  and  over  again  to  use  every  exertion  to  pro 
cure  the  necessary  transportation,  both  for  land  and  water,  to  enable  me  to  make  a 
forward  movement  into  the  enemy's  country  even  with  a  portion  of  the  command, 
where  there  was  a  prospect  of  coming  in  collision  with  the  enemy,  which  I  am  sat 
isfied  they  did  as  far  as  possible.  Finding,  however,  there  was  great  delay  in  pro 
curing  steamboats  of  the  proper  description  at  New  Orleans,  to  facilitate  the  same, 
and  aid  the  Quarter  Master's  Department  in  getting  them,  I  despatched  an  Engineer 
officer  to  that  place  with  proper  instructions  to  aid  in  procuring  the  proper  descrip 
tion  of  boats,  and  if  they  could  not  be  had  in  New  Orleans  to  continue  on  up  the 
Mississippi  and  Ohio  rivers  until  they  could  be  met  with,  and  either  purchased  or 
chartered,  as  we  could  not  get  on  without  them,  some  of  which  could  not  be  ob 
tained  short  of  Pittsburg.  At  the  same  time,  every  boat  that  could  be  had  either 
by  purchase  or  charter  of  those  which  had  reached  the  Rio  Grande  was  employed 
in  transporting  troops  and  supplies  up  the  Rio  Grande,  as  rapidly  as  possible,  where, 
after  taking  possession  of  the  towns  along  it  on  the  right  bank,  I  located  a  depot  at 
Camargo,  400  miles  from  its  entrance  into  the  Gulf  (by  water). 

Having  collected  here  a  supply  of  provisions,  forage,  and  ordnance  stores,  and 
judging  from  the  newspapers  that  the  people  of  the  country  were  becoming  impatient 
that  the  army  under  my  orders  should  do  something,  I  determined  to  move  forward, 
and  if  practicable  to  take  possession  of  Monterey,  the  capital  of  New  Leon,  and 

I77 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

the  most  important  city  east  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  commanding  on  this  side  the  first 
and  only  road  between  the  Gulf  and  that  place  for  wheeled  carriages,  by  which  the 
table  lands  of  Mexico  can  be  reached,  a  distance  of  near  400  miles.  After  raking 
and  scraping  the  whole  country  for  every  pack  mule,  and  collecting  some  1,500  and 
their  attendants  (  my  principal  means  of  transportation  )  I  left  Camargo  on  the  5th 
of  September  to  join  my  advance  at  Serralvo,  where  I  had  thrown  forward  a  small 
supply  of  provisions,  forage,  etc.,  and  where  I  remained  a  few  days  for  the  arrival 
of  some  of  the  troops  in  the  rear  ;  on  their  joining  I  continued  on  and  reached 
Monterey,  distant  from  Serralvo  about  sixty-five  miles,  on  the  morning  of  the  igth 
with  a  little  upwards  of  6,OOO  men,  about  equal  numbers  of  regulars  and  volunteers, 
with  a  small  train  of  light  artillery  and  one  heavy  mortar.  I  found  the  city  naturally 
very  strong,  and  well  fortified,  and  occupied  by  a  numerous  garrison,  between  7  and 
8,000  regulars  as  admitted  by  Gen1  Ampudia,  besides  the  citizens  capable  of  bearing 
arms  amounting  to  several  thousand  more,  with  forty-two  pieces  of  artillery  and  an 
abundant  supply  of  ammunition. 

Finding  the  Mexican  commander  was  determined  not  to  hazard  a  general 
action  in  the  field,  but  to  confine  himself  to  his  strong  works  in  and  around  the 
city,  and  having  devoted  the  igth  and  2Oth  to  reconnoitering  their  works,  and  ap 
proaches,  I  determined  to  carry  the  place  pretty  much  with  the  bayonet,  commenc 
ing  with  the  out  works.  The  attack  was  made  early  on  the  2ist  and  after  a  severe 
contest  particularly  on  that  day,  and  which  was  maintained  at  intervals  through  the 
two  days  following,  a  flag  was  sent  in  early  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  by  Gen1 
Ampudia,  proposing  to  evacuate  the  city  provided  he  was  permitted  to  leave  it, 
withdrawing  his  troops  unmolested,  and  taking  away  all  the  public  property,  private 
to  be  respected,  to  which  I  declined  acceding,  when  a  personal  interview  was  re 
quested,  granted,  and  resulted  in  a  capitulation,  of  which  I  need  mention  but  one 
article,  the  armistice  for  eight  weeks,  which  was  as  necessary  to  us  as  it  was  to  our 
adversaries. 

In  the  meantime  the  Secretary  of  War  commenced  a  correspondence  with  one 
at  least  of  my  subordinates  on  the  subject  of  operations  within  the  limits  of  my 
command  (  which  is  generally  attended  with  unfortunate  results  ),  no  doubt  drawn 
into  it  by  the  suggestions  of  those  who  wished  to  be  actively  employed,  and  who 
embarked  in  the  campaign,  some  at  least,  I  regret  to  say,  more  with  the  view  of  ad 
vancing  their  own  personal  ends  than  the  interests  of  the  country.  In  the  meantime 
the  friends,  or  creatures,  of  Gen1  Scott  in  my  camp  and  elsewhere  had  become  very 
much  alarmed  at  the  prospect  of  his  being  lost  sight  of  as  an  aspirant  for  the  presi 
dency,  and,  to  bring  about  a  change  in  his  favor,  filled  the  ears  of  the  Secretary  of 
War  with  statements  which  originated  in  my  camp  of  the  great  necessity  there  was 
that  General  Scott  should  be  placed  at  the  head  of  the  army  in  Mexico,  that  all  de- 

I78 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

sired  that  such  should  be  the  case,  that  the  public  good  required  it,  and  in  addition, 
many  other  incorrect  and  ridiculous  statements.  When  it  was  known  that  the  capi 
tulation  entered  into  with  the  Mexican  commander  at  Monterey  was  disapproved,  it 
added  an  additional  stimulant  to  the  zeal  of  my  defamers,  or  those  who  wished  to 
"  take  from  me  my  good  name  "  in  order  to  supplant  me.  A  gentleman  who  hap 
pened  to  be  in  Washington  wrote  me,  saying  "  perhaps  you  are  not  aware  of  the 
fact  but  I  regret  to  say  your  camp  is  one  mass  of  intrigue  to  get  you  out  of  the 
way."  Another  who  possessed  the  confidence  of  the  President  and  Secretary  in 
formed  me  that  great  exertions  were  made  by  the  friends  of  Gen1  Scott  for  him  to 
supersede  or  relieve  me,  which  the  President  declined  doing;  they  then  proposed, 
their  object  being  to  get  me  out  of  the  way,  that  an  arrangement  should  be  made  to 
give  Gen1  Worth  the  command  (  all,  too,  for  my  particular  accommodation,  as  I  was 
anxious  to  retire  to  the  United  States);  this  the  President  also  declined  doing.  But 
by  perseverance  which  overcomes  most  obstacles,  my  enemies  ultimately  succeeded, 
not  in  having  me  superseded  or  recalled,  but  by  pursuing  a  much  more  objectionable, 
dishonorable,  and  disgraceful  course,  which  was  to  strip  me  of  the  greater  portion 
of  my  command  in  the  most  discourteous  manner  that  could  be  devised,  no  doubt 
from  the  expectation  that  it  would  have  the  effect  of  breaking  me  down  or  driving 
me  from  the  country,  if  not  from  the  army,  or  leaving  me  at  the  mercy  of  the 
enemy. 

On  the  2d  of  October  I  received  by  special  express  a  communication  from  the 
Secretary  of  War  of  the  I3th  of  the  preceding  month,  directing  me  to  put  an  end 
to  the  armistice  referred  to,  and  commence  offensive  operations  against  the  enemy. 
I  lost  no  time  in  communicating  this  to  General  Santa  Anna,  then  at  San  Luis 
Potosi,  at  the  head  of  the  Mexican  army,  and  made  the  necessary  arrangement  for 
a  forward  movement,  the  order  for  the  same  having  been  given,  when  I  received  by 
a  courier  from  Matamoras  a  note  from  Major  McLane,  stating  he  had  arrived  at 
that  place  with  important  despatches  for  me  from  the  Government  and  would  reach 
my  headquarters  in  a  few  days,  or  as  soon  as  he  could  procure  passage  up  the  Rio 
Grande.  He  reached  here  two  days  after,  on  the  1 2th  of  November,  and  handed 
me  a  communication  from  the  War  Department  of  the  22d  October,  which  in  some 
measure  modified  the  instructions  of  the  I3th  of  the  same  month,  referred  to  as 
brought  by  Major  Graham  of  the  Topo.  Engineers. 

I  moved  on  Saltillo  on  the  I3th  November  and  reached  there  the  1 6th,  where 
after  leaving  Gen1  Worth  with  a  brigade,  mostly  of  regulars,  I  returned  to  this 
place. 

In  the  Secretary's  despatch  of  the  1 3th  I  think,  he  stated  that  an  expedition 
against  Vera  Cruz  was  under  consideration,  and  wished  to  know  if  I  did  not  con 
sider  4,000  men  sufficient  to  carry  that  place ;  if  so,  and  I  approved  the  same,  I 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

was  authorized  to  detach  Gen1  Patterson  on  that  duty,  presuming  that  I  could  spare 
or  draw  that  amount  of  force  from  the  lower  Rio  Grande ;  in  reply,  I  stated  that 
I  considered  the  number  specified  was  too  small  for  the  object,  that  I  thought  that 
not  less  than  10,000  should  be  sent  on  that  service,  as  disaster  should  not  be  risked 
so  far  from  reinforcements,  and  if  the  Government  would  organize  in  the  states 
6,000  men  and  send  them  to  Vera  Cruz  with  proper  engineers  and  ordnance  officers, 
and  the  material  necessary  to  carry  on  the  most  vigorous  siege  immediately  on  their 
arrival  and  would  touch  at  Tampico,  about  the  loth  of  January,  I  would  hold  4,000 
men  in  the  vicinity  of  that  place,  2,000  regulars  and  a  like  number  of  volunteers, 
ready  to  cooperate  with  them  and  would  turn  over  to  General  Patterson,  or  any 
other  officer  the  Department  might  charge  with  the  management  of  said  expedition  ; 
that  I  wished  to  make  an  examination  of  the  country  and  the  several  passes  through 
the  mountains  between  this  and  the  Gulf  to  ascertain  how  far  and  in  what  way  they 
could  be  used  for  military  purposes,  and  would  take  that  occasion  to  do  so  and  that 
4,000  men  were  as  many  as  could  be  drawn  from  this  line  with  safety. 

Having  made  the  necessary  dispositions  for  the  defence  of  the  country  of  which 
I  had  taken  possession  by  leaving  Gen1  Worth  at  Saltillo,  locating  Gen1  Wool  at 
Patos  and  Parras,  and  Gen1  Butler  at  Monterey  commanding  the  whole,  with  re 
spectable  commands  to  be  concentrated  at  Saltillo  should  Santa  Anna  make  a  move 
on  that  place,  having  ordered  Gen1  Shields  with  a  regiment  of  Volunteers  to  proceed 
to  Tampico  by  water  to  reinforce  and  take  command  of  that  place,  and  Major 
Gen1  Patterson  to  march  across  the  country  from  Matamoras  and  join  me  at  Vic 
toria,  the  capital  of  Tamaulipas,  with  three  regiments  of  Volunteers,  I  left  here  on 
the  I4th  December  with  General  Twigg's  division  and  reached  Victoria  on  the  4th 
of  January,  where  I  found  Gen1  Quitman  with  his  brigade,  and  where  I  was  joined 
the  same  day  by  Gen1  Patterson  with  his  command.  On  my  way  to  Victoria  I  re 
ceived  by  express  General  Scott's  sugared  letter  of  November  25th  from  New  York, 
which  has  been  published  in  the  "  Union  "  informing  me  he  was  on  his  way  to 
Mexico,  not  to  relieve  or  supersede  me,  but  only  to  take  from  me  the  greater  portion 
of  my  command,  in  order  that  he  might  do  something  for  himself,  that  I  had  done 
enough  (  perhaps  too  much  )  and  could  afford  to  remain  on  the  defensive  until  con 
gress  could  raise  an  army  for  me  to  command  ;  a  more  contemptible  and  insidious 
communication  was  never  written.  This  was  the  first  and  I  may  say  the  only  in 
timation  I  had  that  I  was  to  be  outraged ;  but  I  then  knew  the  poisoned  shafts  which 
had  been  sent  to  Washington  ( as  mentioned  by  my  friends  )  had  done  their  work 
but  too  effectually ;  but  as  the  Major  Gen1  had  stated  in  his  letter  he  did  not  expect 
to  see  me  (or  rather  did  not  wish  to  do  so)  as  well  as  intimating  his  object  was  to 
attack  Vera  Cruz,  I  replied  to  him  that  I  would  continue  on  to  Victoria,  and  await 
his  order  or  instructions  at  that  place. 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

I  remained  at  Victoria  ten  days,  at  the  end  of  which  I  received  an  order  from 
Gen1  Scott,  then  at  Camargo,  after  detailing  a  proper  escort  to  accompany  me  back 
to  this  place  where  I  would  return  after  putting  in  march  for  Tampico  the  balance 
of  troops  with  me,  which  was  immediately  done,  numbering  4,733.  I  received  also 
at  the  same  time  a  copy  of  an  order  sent  from  Camargo  to  Gen1  Butler  who  was 
then  at  Saltillo,  commencing  by  premising  that  I  had  7,500  regulars  (when  he  must 
have  known  there  was  not  and  never  had  been  anything  like  that  amount  of  regular 
troops  under  my  command  at  any  one  time,  as  monthly  returns  had  been  regularly 
furnished  the  Adjutant  General's  office  at  Washington,  which  was  open  to  his  in 
spection,  and  which  it  was  his  duty  to  have  examined  )  to  order  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Rio  Grande  a  specific  number  of  regulars,  to  proceed  without  delay  under  the  orders 
of  Gen1  Worth,  which  took,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  weak  companies  of  artillery 
and  dragoons,  the  whole  of  the  regular  force,  not  leaving  me  a  single  company  of 
infantry,  as  well  as  taking  from  me  most  of  the  volunteers  which  I  had  disciplined. 
I  replied  to  the  same  with  considerable  warmth,  stating  that  I  considered  the  whole 
proceeding  as  one  of  the  greatest  outrages  which  had  ever  been  perpetrated,  that 
without  my  being  consulted  I  was  stripped  of  the  greater  part  of  my  command, 
leaving  me  in  front  of  and  within  striking  distance  of  Santa  Anna  with  a  very  inad 
equate  force  to  oppose  him,  and  that  I  could  not  misunderstand  the  object.  Many 
of  the  officers  were  as  indignant  at  the  course  pursued  towards  me  as  I  could  possibly 
be,  some  of  high  rank,  and  my  devoted  friends  urged  me  to  return  at  once  to  the 
United  States,  that  I  owed  it  to  myself  and  friends  to  do  so,  which  I  declined  doing, 
stating  that  if  Santa  Anna  advanced  our  country  needed  the  services  of  every  man 
who  could  be  brought  to  oppose  him,  nor  was  it  a  time  to  think  of  private  griefs — 
nor  was  it  alone  those  with  me  who  felt  indignant,  for  as  soon  as  the  position  I  had 
been  placed  in  was  known,  thousands  throughout  the  land  cried  out  shame  on  such 
treatment ;  and  if  the  statements  in  the  papers  can  be  depended  on,  it  excited  the 
astonishment  of  distinguished  persons  in  other  countries. 

After  putting  the  troops  in  march  for  Tampico,  I  left  Victoria  as  directed  on 
the  1 6th  with  an  escort  to  a  large  wagon  train  which  had  to  return  to  Monterey, 
and  with  a  heavy  heart,  where  I  arrived  on  the  24th  after  a  useless  march  of  near 
500  miles  over  a  rough  country  at  the  cost  of  the  lives  of  a  few  men,  the  loss  of  a 
considerable  portion  of  what  few  artillery  and  dragoon  horses  accompanied  me,  and 
the  breaking  down  or  greatly  reducing  the  balance,  as  well  as  causing  a  considerable 
expenditure  of  money  by  the  Quarter  Master's  Department,  all  of  which  might 
have  been  avoided  had  I  been  notified,  or  ordered,  when  it  was  determined  to  de 
grade  me,  to  have  remained  stationary  until  it  was  accomplished.  This  was  deter 
mined  on  fully  the  i8th  November  at  Washington,  and  no  doubt  was  under  con 
sideration  for  some  time  previous,  when  if  a  special  express  had  been  sent  from 

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LETTERS       OF      Z A C H A R  T       TAYLOR 

Washington  directing  me  not  to  make  any  movement  until  further  orders,  if  it  was 
deemed  unsafe  to  entrust  me  with  the  views  of  the  Department,  said  instructions 
would  have  reached  me  before  I  marched,  which  was  on  the  I5th  of  December  j  this 
would  have  prevented  others,  as  well  as  myself,  much  unnecessary  fatigue,  as  well 
as  the  results  referred  to ;  but  this  would  have  been  treating  me  with  too  much  con 
sideration. 

Some  four  or  five  days  after  my  return  to  this  place  I  was  informed  that  great 
alarm  prevailed  among  the  troops  at  and  near  Saltillo  which  composed  the  greater 
portion  of  those  left  me,  in  consequence  of  a  report  that  Santa  Anna  was  advancing 
on  that  place  with  all  his  forces,  which  alarm  had  been  greatly  augmented  by  the 
surprise  and  capture  of  two  mounted  reconnoitering  parties,  about  fifty  miles  in  ad 
vance  of  Saltillo  towards  San  Luis  Potosi,  consisting  of  about  100  picked  men  and 
horses  belonging  to  the  Kentucky  and  Arkansas  mounted  Volunteers,  only  one  man 
making  his  escape  and  that  by  the  fleetness  of  his  horse,  after  being  in  the  hands  of 
the  enemy  ;  by  him  was  brought  back  the  most  fearful  intelligence,  as  regards  the 
strength  and  numbers  of  the  enemy's  Lancers  and  Dragoons  who  had  surrounded 
them,  supposed  to  be  the  advance  of  the  enemy's  army,  so  much  so  that  the  officer 
in  command,  after  communicating  all  the  information  in  regard  to  those  matters, 
urged  me  to  join  him  with  as  little  delay  as  possible  with  all  the  spare  troops  I  could 
bring  with  me ;  in  consequence  of  which  I  left  here  on  the  3Oth  and  reached  Saltillo 
on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  February  with  about  700  men.  A  few  days  after  my 
arrival  there,  I  received  a  communication  from  Gen1  Scott,  then  at  Brazos  Island, 
advising  me  to  fall  back  and  concentrate  my  command  at  Monterey ;  this  I  declined 
doing,  having  determined  after  the  most  mature  reflection  to  fight  the  Mexican 
General  as  my  best  chance  of  safety  should  he  offer  me  battle,  immediately  on  his 
getting  across  what  is  termed  the  "  desert  "  between  Saltillo  and  San  Luis  Potosi, 
150  miles  in  extent,  before  he  had  time  to  refresh  and  reorganize  his  troops,  whom 
I  knew  must  be  much  exhausted  by  their  march  across  the  same.  I  continued  to 
examine  the  localities  of  the  country  in  front  of  Saltillo  and  prepare  the  troops  for 
battle  until  the  22d,  on  which  day  I  was  attacked  by  General  Santa  Anna  with 
20,000  men  well  trained,  with  a  due  proportion  of  every  arm  completely  equipped 
and  supplied  with  every  material  to  secure  success,  on  the  plain  of  Buena  Vista, 
where  with  334  officers  and  4,425  rank  and  file  on  our  side,  making  in  all  4,759, 
only  453  regulars  and  a  part  of  them  recruits,  he  was  repulsed  with  great  loss  and 
his  army  dispersed,  and  nearly  disorganized  after  a  severe  and  bloody  contest  of  one 
whole  day  and  part  of  another  ;  the  result  is  so  well  known  it  is  not  necessary  to  go 
into  particulars,  further  than  to  say,  that  if  I  had  not  been  so  weakened  by  the  fire 
in  my  rear  (  not  being  able  to  improve  the  victory  after  gaining  it  )  the  greater  portion 
of  the  Mexican  army  would  have  been  captured  or  destroyed,  the  whole  of  his 

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LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

artillery  and  baggage  taken  and  their  president  made  prisoner,  had  he  not  been  re 
markably  fortunate. 

I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  had  I  left  the  army  when  advised  to  do  so  by 
my  friends  at  Victoria,  at  the  time  already  referred  to,  the  Battle  of  Buena  Vista 
would  never  have  been  fought ;  and  had  it  not  been,  the  consequences  to  the  country 
would  have  been  truly  deplorable  in  a  pecuniary  view,  but  what  would  have  been  of 
much  more  importance,  it  would  have  fixed  a  stain  on  the  national  character  which 
would  have  taken  years  on  years  to  have  wiped  out  ;  or  had  I  fallen  back,  as  ad 
vised  by  Gen1  Scott,  to  Monterey,  the  consequences  which  would  have  followed 
would  have  been  scarcely  less  disastrous  than  a  total  rout  at  or  near  Saltillo,  for  as 
soon  as  the  Mexican  General  had  invested  Monterey,  which  he  was  prepared  to  do, 
it  would  have  been  the  signal  for  the  rising  of  the  whole  country ;  every  depot  on 
the  Rio  Grande  would  have  been  at  once  abandoned,  taken,  or  destroyed,  all  the 
artillery  and  cavalry  horses  and  every  animal  belonging  to  the  trains  would  have  been 
destroyed  or  starved,  as  there  was  no  depot  of  forage  at  Monterey,  where  our  vol 
unteer  army  shut  up  and  disheartened  must  have  either  surrendered  or  been  cut  to 
pieces.  No  army  could  have  been  raised  in  the  United  States  and  brought  here  in 
time  to  have  relieved  it,  and  the  only  way  it  could  have  been  done  would  have  been 
by  the  army  under  Gen1  Scott,  who,  I  am  induced  to  believe  from  what  has  taken 
place,  would  have  seen  it  sacrificed  with  perfect  indifference  rather  than  it  should 
have  interfered  with  his  operations  against  Vera  Cruz ;  besides,  instead  of  the  tri 
umphant  march  of  Col.  Doniphan,  reports  of  which  are  now  going  the  rounds  of 
the  papers,  it  would  have  been  Colonel  D.'s  disastrous  retreat,  if  not  something 
worse,  had  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  been  lost,  or  had  I  fallen  back  to  Monterey. 
The  only  way  in  which  the  said  army  could  have  been  rescued  would  have  been  by 
a  peremptory  order  from  Washington  to  Gen1  Scott  to  have  retraced  his  steps  to  the 
Rio  Grande.  Nor  do  I  hesitate  in  saying  that  the  battles  of  the  8th  and  9th  May, 
1846,  created  a  feeling  of  enthusiasm  and  gave  a  confidence  to  our  army  that  nothing 
in  Mexico  could  resist ;  and  although  I  was  denied  the  privilege  of  travelling  it, 
that  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  opened  the  road  to  the  city  of  Mexico,  and  the  doors 
of  the  halls  of  Montezumas,  that  others  might  revel  in  them.  I  do  not  refer  to 
these  matters  with  anything  like  exultation,  or  from  any  feelings  of  vanity,  but  more 
from  a  feeling  of  sorrow  than  of  anger,  for  most  gladly,  if  I  had  the  power  to  do  it, 
would  I  recall  the  past  and  cheerfully  retire  to  the  walks  of  private  life  unnoticed  and 
unknown,  could  those  who  I  can  but  look  on  as  having  in  a  great  measure  been 
sacrificed  on  the  field  of  Buena  Vista  that  I  might  be  broken  down,  or  another  made 
more  conspicuous,  be  restored  to  their  families,  friends,  and  country.  It  is  to  me, 
however,  a  source  of  gratification  to  know  that  since  I  took  command  of  the  Army 
of  Observation  I  have  pursued  but  one  straightforward  course,  which  was  to  serve 

183 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TATLOR 

the  country  honestly  and  faithfully,  without  turning  to  the  right  or  left,  notwith 
standing  the  fire,  both  in  front  and  rear,  by  carrying  out  the  orders,  and,  so  far  as 
I  knew  them,  the  wishes  of  the  Executive,  assailing  none  but  the  enemies  of  the 
country ;  and  however  much  I  may  have  been  misrepresented  (  which  I  am  induced 
to  believe  was  to  a  very  great  extent )  to  the  Chief  Magistrate,  or  however  his  feel 
ings  may  have  been  embittered  towards  me  by  the  stream  of  poison  which  was  con 
stantly  infused  into  his  mind  to  prejudice  him  against  me,  yet  I  have  not  for  a 
moment  lost  sight  of  what  was  due  to  him  as  a  gentleman,  or  to  the  distinguished 
position  he  occupied.  As  regards  the  Secretary  of  War,1  up  to  the  taking  of  Mon 
terey,  I  entertained  no  other  feelings  towards  him  but  those  of  respect  and  even 
kindness  ;  he  was  the  only  member  of  the  Cabinet,  including  the  President,  with 
whom  I  had  the  honor  of  a  personal  acquaintance  and  only  a  slight  one  with  him, 
and  after  the  election  of  Mr.  Polk,  when  the  subject  of  the  formation  of  his  Cabi 
net  was  discussed  in  my  presence,  I  uniformly  expressed  the  hope  that  he  might  be 
placed  in  his  present  position.  I  could,  therefore,  have  no  other  wish  than  to  see 
the  Department  so  managed  as  would  redound  to  his  credit  and  the  interest  of  the 
nation,  and  if  those  feelings  have  been  changed  it  was  by  no  act  of  mine,  and  I  may 
say,  contrary  to  my  wishes.  Not  a  communication  I  addressed  to  the  Secretary  of 
War  was  ever  acknowledged  much  less  replied  to  for  five  months  ;  and  but  one  re 
ceived  from  him  during  the  same  period,  which  was  calling  my  attention  to  a  private 
letter  written  by  me  to  Major  Gen1  Gaines,  never  intended  for  publication  ;  of  this 
it  bore  ample  testimony  on  its  face,  but  which  found  its  way  into  the  newspapers, 
printed  in  the  city  of  New  York,  administering  by  the  direction  of  the  President 
(by  implication)  a  very  hard  rebuke,  which,  however  undeserved,  I  was  bound  to 
submit  to,  coming  from  the  source  it  did. 

On  the  subject  of  my  being  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency  alluded  to  in  your 
letter  to  Major  Butler,  I  can  only  say  that  if  I  am  so,  or  to  be  made  one  at  the 
coming  election,  it  will  be  by  the  acts  of  others,  without  any  agency  of  mine  in  the 
matter,  directly  or  indirectly.  I  have  not  now  and  never  have  had  any  aspirations 
for  that  situation,  nor  have  I  encouraged  any  one  directly  or  indirectly  to  bring  my 
humble  name  before  the  country  for  that  high  office ;  the  fact  is  my  course  has  been 
a  contrary  one,  for  I  apprehended  at  the  time  what  would  be  the  result,  which  has 
been  but  too  well  realized,  viz.,  to  destroy  that  confidence  which  should  exist  be 
tween  a  commanding  officer  in  the  field  and  his  Government  so  necessary  to  the 
success  of  military  operations,  and  which  I  humbly  conceive  has  been  gradually 
withdrawn  from  me,  as  well  as  a  disposition  evinced  to  drive  me  from  the  service, 
or  to  lay  me  on  the  shelf,  ever  since  the  capitulation  of  Monterey ;  or  why  was  the 


I  William  L.  Marcy  of  New  York. 

184 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHART       TAYLOR 

army  which  I  had  commanded  for  near  three  years,  which  I  had  conducted  from  the 
frontier  of  Louisiana  to  the  tablelands  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  which  had  won  three 
important  battles  (at  least  so  thought  a  large  portion  of  the  good  people  of  the 
country)  so  unceremoniously  taken  from  me  without  the  slightest  regard  to  the 
courtesy  usual  on  such  occasions,  as  if  intended  to  add  insult  to  injury  ?  Or  if  it 
was  thought  necessary  to  supplant  me  by  another  in  the  most  cruel  manner  which 
could  be  devised,  one  who  had  declined  or  hesitated  in  taking  it,  when  he  thought 
it  would  interfere  with  his  prospects  for  reaching  the  Presidency,  why  was  I  not 
offered  a  command  in  that  army  with  which  I  had  been  so  long  associated,  and  per 
mitted  to  share  its  toils,  its  dangers,  and  its  triumphs  ?  These  are  matters  which 
can  only  be  explained  by  those  better  versed  in  court  intrigues  than  I  pretend  or 
wish  to  be. 

As  regards  the  letter  referred  to  in  connection  with  the  Honble.  Mr.  Walker1 
in  relation  to  the  capitulation  of  Monterey  it  was  brought  to  my  notice  by  a  friend 
who  stated  he  thought  it  was  written  by  Mr.  Walker,  as  it  was  his  style ;  as  it  an 
imadverted  severely  on  my  conduct  and  without  regard  to  the  actual  state  of  the 
case,  or  appearing  to  understand  it,  it  is  probable  I  might  have  remarked  in  presence 
of  Col.  Davis,  who  I  knew  was  the  friend  of  the  Secretary  as  well  as  my  own,  that 
if  it  was  the  production  of  his  pen,  it  was  to  be  regretted  he  had  not  made  himself 
in  the  first  instance  acquainted  with  the  exact  state  of  the  case  before  attempting  to 
assail  me  in  that  way ;  that  the  whole  matter  was  so  filled  with  misstatements  that 
it  would  injure  the  writer,  whoever  it  might  be,  more  than  it  would  me  ;  and  really 
the  transaction  had  passed  entirely  from  my  mind  and  I  doubted  whether  I  should 
have  thought  of  it  again  had  I  not  been  reminded  of  it.  I  certainly  have  not  done 
Mr.  Walker  any  injustice  or  injury  in  regard  to  the  same,  and  would  regret  it  if  I 
had  done  so. 

On  the  subject  of  transportation,  which  has  made  some  noise  at  Washington, 
and  notwithstanding  the  ridiculous  and  incorrect  statements  made  by  the  Honble. 
Mr.  Cassz  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  done  with  the  view  of  calling  in 
question  the  correctness  of  my  official  statements  on  that  subject,  yet  I  defy  him  or 
his  prompters  to  produce  one  word  but  what  is  true,  or  one  that  is  even  highly 
colored  in  regard  to  that  or  any  other  matter. 

I  left  Camargo  in  September  last  for  Monterey  with  a  command  of  over  6,000 
men  with  180  or  185  wagons,  forty-eight  of  which  were  turned  over  to  the  Ord 
nance,  while  with  a  column  of  2,500  men  which  left  San  Antonio,  Texas,  under  the 
command  of  General  Wool,  it  had  been  furnished  with  upwards  of  400  ;  and,  strange 


I  Robert  J.  Walker  of  Mississippi,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
z  Lewis  Cass,  a  Senator  from  Michigan. 


LETTERS       OF      ZACHARY       TAYLOR 

to  say,  the  first  additional  wheel  carriage  which  reached  my  Head  Quarters  after 
congress  had  recognized  the  existence  of  a  war  between  the  United  States  and 
Mexico,  was  on  the  2d  of  November,  a  period  of  near  six  months. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain 
with  great  respect 

Your  Most  Obd<  Serv' 
Z.  TAYLOR, 

Major  Gen1  U.  S.  Army. 
Honble. 

JAMES  BUCHANAN, 

Secretary  of  State, 

Washington,  D.  C. 


A  true  copy  from  the  original  which  had  been  returned  by  Mr.  Buchanan  at  Washington.     One  copy  is  in  the  hands  of  Mr. 
W.  H.  Prescott,  of  Mass.,  and  one  copy  in  the  hands  of  Honble.  Abbott  Lawrence,  Mass,  (both  sealed). 

B.  H.  WOOD. 
Washington,  Sept.  ijd,  1849. 


186 


INDEX 


Abadie,  Eugene  H.,  113. 

Alamo,  31,  55. 

Allerton,  Isaac,  viii. 

Allerton,  Sarah,  viii. 

Allison,  R.  T.,  164,  166,  169. 

Alwood,  Mr.,  artist,  113. 

Ampudia,  Pedro  de,  xix,  3,  36,  64. 

Arista,  Mariano,  xix,  3,  175. 

Armistead,  Lewis  Addison,  64. 

Ashley,  Chester,  4. 

Atkinson,  Henry,  xv. 

Bagby,  Arthur  P.,  95. 

Baker,  Edward  Dickenson,  59. 

Bancroft,  George,  174. 

Banks,  Nathaniel  P.,  xiii. 

Barita,    8. 

"  Barn-burners,"    xxii. 

Barton,  Edward  H.,  99. 

Benton,  Thomas  H.,  xvii,  xxv,  84,  136. 

Blair,  William   B.,  42. 

Bland,  Mary,  viii. 

Bliss,  William  Wallace  Smith,  ix,  x,  60, 
140,  1 60,  169  ;  sketch,  xii. 

Bloss,  Captain,  8. 

Borland,  Solon,  82,  84. 

Bowie,  James,  31. 

Boyce,  Edward,  xi. 

Brady,  Hugh,  6,  49  ;  sketch,  5. 

Brazos  Santiago,  8. 

Brewster,  Fear,  viii. 

Brewster,  William,  vii,  viii. 

Brooke,  George   Mercer,    78,  93,  99,  125. 

Brown,  Mr.,  artist,  113,  122. 

Brown,  Harvey,  27,  32. 

Brown,  Jacob,  2. 

Buchanan,  James,  xxi,  64,  173,  186. 

Buena  Vista,  battle  of,  xx,  10,  55  ;  import 
ance  of,  91,  94,  95,  182,  183. 

Burbank,  John  G.,  2. 

Burbridge,  George  S.,  78. 

Butler,  JohnrB.,   173. 

Butler,  Judge,  9. 

Butler,  William  Orlando,  xxii,  82,  180, 
181  ;  sketch,  37. 


Cabinet,  President  Taylor's,  xxiii. 

Cadwalader,  George,  99,  104. 

Caldwell,  Mr.,  1 06. 

Calhoun,  John  C.,  147. 

Call,  Richard  K.,  28. 

Camargo,  24,  27,  30,  3 1,  94,  181  ;  Tay 
lor  reaches,  39,  177;  Taylor  leaves,  185. 

Cameron,  Simon,  109. 

Campbell,  Reuben  P.,  149. 

Canby,  Edward  R.  S.,  xiii. 

Carter,  Anne,  viii. 

Cass,  Lewis,  xxii,  7,  37,  76,  79,  95,  96, 
1 1  8,  185  ;  sketch,  4. 

Cerralvo,  50,  149  ;  Taylor  reaches,  54  ; 
Taylor  leaves,  57. 

Cerro-Gordo,  7,  100. 

Chadbourne,  Theodore  L.,  I. 

Chapultepec,  7,  55. 

Churubusco,  7,  55. 

City  of  Mexico  captured,  7,  146,  148. 

Clarke,  Newman  S.,  51. 

Clay,  Cassius   M.,  84. 

Clay,  Henry,  xvii,  xviii,  xxii,  7,  118,  122, 
134,  135,  143,  156. 

Clayton,  John  M.,  xxiii,  118. 

Cochrane,  Richard  E.,  i. 

Collamer,  Jacob,  xxiii. 

Congress  thanks  General  Taylor,  xx. 

Conrad,  Charles  M.,  123. 

Conrad,  Frederick,  123,  124. 

Conrad,  Mr.,   157. 

Contreras,  7,  55. 

Conway,  Nelly,  viii. 

Corbin,  Letitia,  viii. 

Corpus  Christi,  xix,  174,  175. 

Craig,  Henry  Knox,  25,  39,  40,  56,  89, 
122  ;  sketch,  15. 

Cranston,  Henry  Y.,  87. 

Crawford,  George  W.,  xxiii. 

Crittenden,  John  J.,  98,  118  ;  sketch,  7. 

Crockett,  David,  3 1 . 

Croghan,  George,  48. 

Curd,  Thomas  J.,  68. 

Curtis,  Colonel,  91. 


189 


INDEX 


Davis,  Jefferson,  x,  109,  112,  119,  131, 
135>  I3^>  H5>  x^5  ;  married  Sarah 
Knox  Taylor,  xi  ;  opposition  of  General 
Taylor,  xi  ;  sketch,  36. 

Davis,  Mrs.  Jefferson,  the  first,  xi  ;  the  sec 
ond,  ix,  x. 

Davis,  Joseph  E.,  xii. 

Denny,  St.  Clair,  25,  133. 

Donaldson,  James  L.,  174. 

Donally,  Captain,  84. 

Doniphan,  Alexander  W.,  183. 

Duncan,  James,  3  i . 

Eaton,  Mr.,  15,  131,  137. 
Eaton,  Joseph  H.,  66,  73,    157. 
Edwards,  Fred,  169. 
Ewing,  Thomas,  xxiii. 

Ficklin,  Orlando  B.,  95. 

Fillmore,  Millard,  xxii,  37;  tribute  to  Presi 
dent  Taylor,  xxv. 

Finley,  Clement  A.,  56,  74,  89,  91,  117, 
125. 

Florida,  Taylor's  service  in,  xv. 

Foltz,  Dr.,  10,  121. 

Foot,  Lyman,  34. 

"  Fire  upon  the  rear,"    24. 

Fort  Brown,  xix,  2,  36. 

Fort  Harrison,  xiv. 

Fort  Jesup,  xv. 

Fremont,  John  C.,  136. 

"  Fuss  and  Feathers,"    24. 

Gaines,  Edmund  Pendleton,  21,  23,  30, 
31,  58,  89,  94,  96,  125,  168,  184; 
sketch,  17. 

Gaines,  John  P.,  83. 

Gardner,  John  Lane,  77  ;  sketch,  35. 

Garnett,  Richard  B.,  155. 

Garland,  John,  16. 

Gates,  Collinson  R.,  2. 

Gates,  William,  77,  78. 

Gibson,  John,  169. 

Goliad,  31,  55. 

Grabow,  Baron  Guido  von,  xi. 

Graham,  James,  66,  179. 

Graham,  William  M.,  35. 


Grant,  Ulysses,  compares  Taylor  and  Scott, 

24. 

Grayson,  John  B.,  112,  114. 
Grymes,  Lucy,  viii. 

Hamer,  Thomas  L.,  45. 

Hamilton,  Franklin,  157. 

Hamilton,  William  S.,  157. 

Hammond,  William,  12. 

Hancock,  Die,  169. 

Hardee,  William  Joseph,  36. 

Harney,  Benjamin  F.,   121. 

Harrison,    William    Henry,   xiv,    xvi,   xvii, 

15,  76. 

"Hasty  plate  of  soup,"    24. 
Hawkins,  Hamilton  S.,  8,   140. 
Heiskell,  Henry  L.,  69. 
Henderson,   James   Pinckney,    36,    54,    57, 

1 68  ;  sketch,  25. 
Hooe,  Alexander  S.,  2,  150. 
Houston,     Samuel,     xvi,    55,     131,     168; 

sketch,  3 1 . 
"Hunkers,"    xxii. 
Hunt,  Franklin  E.,  96. 
Hunt,  Judge  and  General,  21,  100,  130. 
Hunt,    Washington,    87,    152,    153,    155, 

156. 
Hunter,  John  F.,  152. 

Inge,  Zebulon  M.  P.,  i. 

Jackson,  Andrew,  xvi,  15,  76. 

Jackson,  Thomas  J.,  xiii. 

Jalapa,  7. 

Jarvis,  Nathan  S.,  91,  104,  122,  157,  168. 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  xiv,  134. 

Jesup,   Thomas  S.,   xv,    78,    79,    88,   96  ; 

sketch,  28. 

Johnson,  Henry,  47,  77,  78. 
Johnson,  Reverdy,  xxiii,  118,  165,  166. 
Johnston,  Albert  Sidney,  40. 
Johnston,  Joseph  E.,  xiii. 
Jordan,  Charles  D.,  2. 
Jouett,  William  R.,  93,  117,  140,  141. 
Juarez,  Benito  Pablo,  55. 

Kearney,  Philip,  136. 

Kilburn,  Charles  L.,   126,  127,  144. 

King  Philip,  10. 


190 


INDEX 


Lamar,  Mirabeau  B.,  31. 

Lane,  James  Henry,  82. 

La  Vega,  General,  I,  10. 

Lawrence,  Abbott,  186,  173. 

Lawson,  Thomas,  29,  92. 

Lee,  Elizabeth,  vii,  viii. 

Lee,  Hancock,  vii,  viii. 

Lee,  Henry,  vii,  viii. 

Lee,  Richard,  viii. 

Lee,  Robert  E.,  vii,  viii,  xiii. 

Louisiana  delegation,  161-163,  J^5- 

Louisiana  Volunteers,  see  Volunteers. 

Lyon,  Colonel,  99. 

McCormick,  Charles,  9,  88. 

McGuire,  Judge,  121. 

Mclntosh,  James  S.,  2,  15,  26. 

McKay,  James  J.,  48. 

McLane,  Major,  179. 

McLaren,  Alden  N.,  56,  64,  168. 

McLean,  John,  33,  70,  118. 

McNest,  Lieutenant,  40. 

Mackall,  Anne,  ix. 

Mackubin,  Lola,  xi. 

Madison,  Ambrose,  viii. 

Madison,  James,  viii,  xiv. 

Mansfield,  Joseph  King  Fenno,  60. 

Marcy,  William  L.,  xviii,  24,  78,  84,  90, 

94,  97,  in,  114,  136,  174,  179,  184, 

185;    issues  the  order   which  brings  on 

war  with  Mexico,  xix. 
Marin,  57. 

Marshall,  Thomas,  46. 
Mason,  John  W.,  81. 
Matamoros,  xx,  I,  3,  175. 
Matamoros,  Mariano,  2. 
Mathews,  Charles,  106. 
May,  Charles  Augustus,  I,  53,  109  ;  sketch, 

IG. 
Medical  department,    12,  21,    25,  34,   42, 

50. 

Meredith,  William  M.,  xxiii. 
Merrimac,  xi. 
Mexico,  action  of  congress,  7,  52,  84,  88; 

and  Texas,  xvi ;  beginning  of  war,  xix  ; 

defeated,  7  ;  treaty  with,  7,  160. 
Minnesota,  first  white  child,  x. 
Molino  del  Rey,  7,  55. 


Monitor,  xi. 

Monterey,   xx,   10,    50,  59,    183  ;  capture 

of,   60,  66,   67,    178  ;   terms  agreed   to, 

61,  62,  67,  179. 
Morehead,  John  Motley,  161. 
Mower,   Thomas  G.,  48,  69,  88  ;  sketch, 

23- 
Munroe,  John,  5,  144;  sketch,  2. 

New  Orleans,  battle  of,  15. 
Nicaragua  canal,  xxiii. 
Nicholas,  Colonel,  103. 
Nueces  river  as  boundary,  xix. 

Ohio  stock,  4. 
Okeechobee,  battle  of,  xv. 
Ordnance  department,  44. 
Oregon  question,  4,  25. 
Osceola,  xv. 

Packenham,  Sir  Edward,  15. 

Palo  Alto,  battle  of,  xix,  I,  10,  15,  175,183. 

Paredes    y    Arrillaga,     Mariano,     47,     55  ; 

sketch,  33. 
Parras,  72. 
Patterson,    Robert,     72,    78,     108,     1 80  ; 

sketch,  37. 

Paymaster's  department,  25. 
Payne,  Matthew  M.,  2. 
Pearce,  Dutee  Jerauld,  43. 
Peel,  Sir  Robert,  43. 
Perote,  7. 

Perry,  Matthew  Calbraith,  77. 
Perry,  Oliver  Hazard,  15. 
Pierce,  Franklin,  7,  146. 
Pillow,    Gideon   Johnson,    45,    109,    112; 

sketch,  4 1 . 

Point  Isabel,  3,  5,  175. 
Polk,  James  K.,  xvii,  xviii,  20,  43,  52,  75, 

ill,  148,  184. 
Prentiss,  James  H.,  37. 
Prescott,  William  H.,  xxi,  173,  186. 
Preston,  William  B.,  xxiii. 
Puebla,  7. 

Quartermaster's    department,    13,    18,    26, 

39,  44,  46,  50. 
Quitman,  John  Anthony,  45,  180;  sketch, 

40. 


INDEX 


Rains,  Gabriel  James,  36. 

Rains,  George  Washington,   140. 

Ramsey,  Captain,  26. 

Randall,  Colonel,  131. 

Reinosa,  6,  3  I . 

Resaca  de  la  Palma,  battle  of,    i,   10,    15, 

'73>  ^3. 

Reynolds,  John  F.,  15. 
Richy,  John  A.,  82. 
Riley,  Bennett,  49,  140. 
Ringgold,  Mr.,  109. 
Rio  Grande  as  the  boundary,  xix  ;  crossed 

by  Taylor,  3,  175. 
Ritchie,  Thomas,  ill,  122. 
Roberts,  William,  39. 
"  Rough  and  Ready,"    24. 
Russell,  James  W.,  5,  11,  16,  17,  74,  89. 

Salas,  Mariano,  55,  127  ;  sketch,  64. 

Saltillo,  44,  50,  69,  70,  71,  82,  86. 

San  Jacinto,  xv. 

San  Luis    Potosi,  69,  119,   182. 

Santa  Anna,  Antonio  Lopez  de,  xvi,  xx,  3  i , 
64,  82,  91,  96,  100,  110,  126,  137, 
140,  142,  148,  179,  180-183;  sketch, 

55- 

Saunders,  Franklin,  48,  99. 

Saunders,  Judge,  161,  162,  163,  166,  179, 
180,  182,  183. 

Schriver,  Edmund,  37. 

Scott,  Winfield  S.,  and  Trist,  122;  cap 
tures  City  of  Mexico,  7,  146,  148; 
compared  with  Taylor  by  Grant,  24 ; 
"  hasty  plate  of  soup  "  and  "  fire  upon 
the  rear,"  24  ;  jealous  of  Taylor,  7,  15, 
24,  48  ;  presidential  candidacy,  xxi,  xxii, 
14,  17,  35,  103,  108,  118;  takes  Tay 
lor's  troops,  7,  72,  80,  82,  83,  87, 
176;  and  is  criticised,  xx-xxii,  14,  15, 
17,  20,  24,  35,  67,  82,  84,  85,  86, 
90,  91,  92,  95,  96,  97,  103,'  105,  108, 
114,  118,  119,  122,  136,  173,  178- 
184;  miscellaneous,  9,  13,  14,  15,  20, 
2i>  23,  31,  37,  40,  55,  77,  78,  82, 
100,  105,  110,  119,  123,  125,  127, 

129,  130,  133,  137,  140,  142,  182, 

183  ;  sketch,  7,  24. 
Selden,  Joseph,  2. 


Serralvo,  see  Cerralvo. 

Sewel,  Major,  140. 

Shelton,  Mr.,  104. 

Shields,  James,  45,    1 80. 

Sibley,  Ebenezer  S.,  101. 

Slavery  question,  xxiv. 

Smith,  Mary  Mackall,  viii,  ix. 

Smith,  Mrs.  Luther,  xii. 

Smith,  Persifor  Frazer,  4,  140. 

Smith,  Richard,  ix. 

Smith,  Truman,  153. 

Smith,  Walter,  ix. 

Sparks,  Major,  101 . 

Speight,  Jesse,    145. 

Stevens,  George,  4. 

Strother,  Sarah,  vii,  viii. 

Strother,  William,  vii. 

Sumner,  Edwin  V.,  157. 

Sutlers,  Taylor's  opinion  of,  8,  14. 

Swift,  Alexander  J.,  104. 

Swift,  John  Gardner,  22. 

Tampico,   72,  76-79,  180,  181. 

Taylor,  Agnes,  x. 

Taylor,  Ann  Mackall,  x. 

Taylor,  Elizabeth  Lee,  vii,  viii. 

Taylor,  Emily,  viii. 

Taylor,  Frances,  viii. 

Taylor  Guards,  4. 

Taylor,  George,  viii. 

Taylor,  Hancock,  vii,  viii. 

Taylor,  James,  vii,  viii. 

Taylor,  Joseph   Pannel,   viii,   xxv,    29,  50, 

117;  sketch,  1 6. 
Taylor,  Margaret,  x. 
Taylor,  Mary  Elizabeth  ("  Miss  Betty  "), 

ix,  x,  13,  42,  56,  67,  169  ;  sketch,  xii. 
Taylor,  Mary  Mackall,  ix. 
Taylor,    Richard    (the    President's    father), 

vii,  viii. 
Taylor,  Richard  (the   President's   son),  viii, 

9,  14,    25,   27,  36,   42,    56,   98,    105- 

107,   112,    117,    120,    122,    129,    139, 

145,  152,  169  ;   sketch,  xii. 
Taylor,  Sarah  Bailey,  viii. 
Taylor,  Sarah  Knox,  x-xii. 
Taylor,  William  Dabney  Strother,  viii,  xiv. 


192 


INDEX 


Taylor,  Zachary,  age,  viii,  xxv,  30  ;  ambi 
tion,  14,  21,  28,  47  ;  ancestry,  vii  ; 
annual  message,  xxiii  ;  birth,  viii  ;  Buena 
Vista,  xx,  10,  55,  91,  94,  95,  182, 
183  ;  cabinet  of,  xxiii  ;  character  of,  xx, 
xxv,  xxvi  ;  commended  by  Crittenden, 
7  ;  compared  with  Scott  by  Grant,  24  ; 
congratulations  gratefully  received,  9  ; 
congress,  thanks  of,  xx  ;  Curd  attacks, 
68  ;  death  of,  x,  xxv  ;  defends  his  con 
duct  in  letter  to  Buchanan,  173;  descend 
ants,  x  ;  elected  to  presidency,  xxii  ; 
Fillmore's  tribute,  xxv;  funeral  of,  x,  xxv; 
in  Florida,  xv  ;  inaugural  address,  xxii  ; 
last  illness,  xxiv,  xxv  ;  letter-writing  dif 
ficult,  xxi,  16,  29,  33,  37,  92,  147; 
marriage,  ix,  xiv ;  Mexico,  wanted  to 
leave,  83  ;  Monterey,  capture  of,  xx,  60, 

66,  67,    178;    major-general  by  brevet, 
xx,    20,    175,    176;    major-general,    xx, 
28  ;    nominated    for    president,    xxii,    7, 
159  ;    opinion   of  General    Wool,    157  ; 
opposes    marriage  of  his  daughter  to  Jef 
ferson  Davis,  xi  ;   political  principles   (see 
also    presidency,    post),   xviii,   xxi-xxiv  ; 
presidency,   references  to,   xxi,   xxii,  13, 
14,  17,  22,  35,  65,  76,  99,   100,  103, 

IO5,  IO8-IIO,  113,  Il8,  121,  122, 
130,  134,  136,  I39,  143,  I47,  153, 
154,  156,  159-165,  167-169,  184, 

185  ;   Palo  Alto,  xix,    i,    10,    15,  175, 

183  ;      portrait     painted,      113  ;      Polk, 
opinion   of,    148  ;    Resaca    de  la    Palma, 
xx,    i,     10,     15,     175,     183  ;     religious 
views,    117;  resigned    from    army,    xiv, 
xx  ;  restored  to  army,  xiv  ;    Scott    criti 
cised   by,    7,  14,    15,    17,    20,    24,    35, 

67,  82,    86,    87,    90,   91,    103,    105, 
108,    114,    119,   122,    136,    173,    178- 

184  ;  slavery,  views  on,  100,  136,  142  ; 
sutlers,   opinion  of,  8,  14  ;  sympathy  for 
wounded,    8,    II,  19,    38,  42,   45,  51  ; 
thanked    by  legislature    of  Louisiana,  10  ; 
troubles  with   authorities  at   Washington, 
9,  13,   67,   72,    80,   90,    91,    94,    95, 
ill,     114,     148,     173-186,     (see     also 
Marcy    and     Scott,     supra)  ;     war    with 


Mexico,  views  on,  28,  37,  39,  51,  74, 
75,  117,  134;  wife,  ix,  5,  13,  56, 
169  ;  youth,  xii  ;  sketch,  xiii. 

Taylor,  Zachary  (the  President's  grand 
father),  vii,  viii. 

Taylor,  Zachary  (the  President's  uncle), 
vii. 

Taylor,  Mrs.  Zachary,  ix,  5,  13,  56,  169; 
sketch,  ix. 

Texas,  admission  of,  xviii  ;  and  Mexico, 
xvi  ;  annexation  of,  xvi  ;  history  of,  31; 
republic  of,  xvi  ;  resolution  declaring  the 
terms  of  admission  to  the  Union,  xvii  ; 
resolution  of  admission,  xviii  ;  volunteers 
from,  24. 

Thames,  battle  of  the,  15. 

Thompson,  James,  95. 

Thompson,  James  L.,  6,  37,  49. 

Thompson,  Martha,  vii,  viii. 

Tibbatts,  John  W.,  70,  80,  98. 

Tilden,  Samuel  J.,  xiii. 

Tippecanoe,  battle  of,  xiv. 

Tompkins,  Daniel  D.,  154. 

Travis,  William  B.,  31. 

Treaty  of  peace  signed,  7. 

Tripler,  Charles  S.,  29,  160. 

Trist,  Marie  Wilhelmina,  xi. 

Trist,  Nicholas  T.,  122,  133,  136,  140, 
146,  149,  151. 

Turner,  George  F.,  56,  91. 

Twiggs,  David  E.,  47,  57,  180. 

Tyler,  John,  xvi-xviii. 

United  States  and  Mexico,  xvi. 

Valencia,  General,  127. 

Van  Allen,  Charles,  150,  151,  156. 

Van  Buren,  Martin,  xv,  xxii,  1 1 8  ;  sketch, 
76. 

Vera  Cruz,  j ,  55,  72. 

Veto  power,  xxiv. 

Victoria,  80,  180,  181. 

Vinton,  John  R.,  27. 

Volunteers,  impatience  of,  7,  177  ;  Louisi 
ana,  xix  ;  not  wanted,  4  ;  outrages  by, 
22  ;  trouble  with,  8,  20,  24,  30,  32, 
38,  44,  51. 


INDEX 


Waggaman,  George  G.,  92. 

Walker,  Robert  J.,  185  ;  sketch,  48. 

Washington,  George,  viii. 

Washington  monument,  xxiv. 

Webb,  James  Watson,  79. 

Webster,  Daniel,  xxii,  xxvi,  7. 

Wells,  John  B.,  2,  34,  53. 

Wharton,  William  L.,  64. 

Whistler,  William,  93. 

White,  Colonel,  121. 

Whiting,   Henry,  24,  27,  31  ;   sketch,  13. 

Wilkinson,  James,  xiv. 

Willoughby,  Elizabeth,  viii. 

Winchester,  Judge,  162. 

Wood,  Ann  Mackall,  n,  18,  21,  34,  39, 

67,  69  ;  sketch,  x. 
Wood,  B.  H.,  1 86. 
Wood,  Blandina  Dudley,  x,  xi. 
Wood,  Charles  Carroll,  x. 
Wood,  Lola  Mackubin,  x. 
Wood,  Dr.  Robert  C.,  death  of  his  brother, 

70,  74  ;  marriage,  x  ;  transferred  to  New 


Orleans,  93  ;  miscellaneous,  xii,  12,  18, 

20,  52,  63,  66  ;   sketch,  x. 
Wood,  Robert  C.,  jr.,  x,  18,  22,  23,  49, 

55,    68,   70,    74,    83,    87,    107,    138  ; 

sketch,  xi. 

Wood,  Sarah  Knox,  x,  xi. 
Wood,  John  T.,  u,  43,  68,  70,  74,  81, 

87,  98,  101,  106,  112,  116,  129,  132, 

1 36,  145  ;   sketch,  x. 
Wood,  Zachary  Taylor,  x. 
Wool,  John  Ellis,  34,  37,  64,  71,  72,  82, 

148,  157,  180,  185  ;  sketch,  15. 
Worth,    William  Jenkins,  31,  57,    59,   71, 

72,    84,    179-181  ;   accused  of  intrigue, 

84,  99,  103,    130  ;  at  capture  of  Mon 
terey,  60  ;  sketch,  6. 
Wright,  Silas,  118  ;   sketch,   139. 

Yellow    fever,    93,     121,    126-128,    131, 

!33>  H2- 
Young,  John,  156. 


194 


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